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5 Statistics Regarding Medical Malpractice That Will Surprise You

November 29th, 2017
On behalf of David Bowling of The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm, A Professional Law Corporation posted in Medical Malpractice on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

When you visit your doctor for a routine physical, does he or she put you at ease? A lot of Americans would likely answer “yes” to this question because many take bedside manner into account when choosing a primary care provider.

Considering how prevalent medical malpractice is, though, there are a few factors worth valuing more than personality when deciding on a physician. For example, has the doctor you are considering ever been sued by a patient?

Legal history is an important metric to keep in mind when your health is at stake because providers who have already faced one malpractice suit are more likely to face additional claims in the future. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, 1 percent of doctors account for 32 percent of all paid claims.

This statistic highlights the fact that medical errors are rarely the result of a simple oversight. Rather, they occur when the same providers consistently provide negligent care.

If you think you were the victim of a medical error, contact The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. David A. Bowling can assess your case to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you have incurred, including medical bills and lost wages. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a medical malpractice attorney in Baton Rouge.

Read on to learn a few surprising statistics regarding medical malpractice:

1. The Average Settlement Is $425,000

According to Medscape, the average court settlement for medical malpractice claims is $425,000. More than 9 out of 10 malpractice cases are resolved out of court, but the cases that do go before a jury typically result in much larger settlements. Since the average jury award is more than $1 million, providers are far more motivated to settle out of court.

2. The Average Doctor Spends More Than 50 Months Facing Open Claims

Medscape reports that the average physician faces an unresolved malpractice claim for 50.7 months of his or her career. If the typical career lasts 40 years, that is roughly 11 percent of its total duration.

3. Nearly 700 People Die Daily as a Result of Medical Errors

According to The Washington Post, medical errors are responsible for more than 250,000 fatalities a year, making them the third leading cause of death in the United States.

4. A Malpractice Case Is Resolved Every 43 Minutes

Forbes reports that malpractice payouts totaled more than $3 billion in 2012, and there was an average of one payout every 43 minutes.

5. Prescription Errors Are Prevalent

According to Consumer Reports, an estimated 1,000 medication errors that are entirely preventable occur in hospitals around the country every day. There are several opportunities for a mistake to be made between when a doctor prescribes something and when a nurse actually administers it. Unfortunately, these kinds of errors can be especially dangerous.

If you received substandard care in a hospital setting, turn to The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. David A. Bowling has more than 30 years of trial experience, and he will use this foundation of knowledge to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a case evaluation with a medical malpractice lawyer in Baton Rouge. If you want to learn more about malpractice claims in Louisiana, visit usattorneys.com/medical-malpractice/louisiana.

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