New Orleans Wrongful Death Attorney Debunks 6 Common Medical Malpractice Myths

According to MedMalFacts, medical malpractice is responsible for nearly 100,000 deaths every year. Unfortunately, a health-care provider’s mistake can have devastating consequences for patients. Some victims never fully recover.

If you or a loved one was the victim of medical malpractice in Louisiana, contact the The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. David A. Bowling is a medical malpractice lawyer in New Orleans who can investigate the incident and gather evidence to support your claim. He has more than 30 years of trial experience.

Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit medical-malpractice.usattorneys.com/louisiana to learn more about medical liability laws in Louisiana.

Here is the truth behind six medical malpractice myths:

Myth 1: The majority of lawsuits for medical malpractice do not have merit.

The majority of medical malpractice lawsuits – 97 percent, in fact – have merit, according to a study by Harvard School of Public Health. The researchers investigated more than 1,400 closed claims of medical malpractice.

Myth 2: Medical malpractice lawyers encourage most claims.

An extensive study of lawyers representing medical malpractice claims showed that most reject as many as 80 percent of cases they receive. In another study, the rejection rate was an even higher 97 percent.

Myth 3: Medical malpractice claims do not target the most dangerous physicians.

Between 1991 and 2005, only 5.9 percent of physicians committed 57.8 percent of reported medical malpractice. Of these, a significant portion committed malpractice multiple times. The more patients file lawsuits, the more obvious it becomes that a doctor is dangerous.

Myth 4: Claims of medical malpractice significantly outweigh actual occurrences.

According to Forbes, preventable medical errors kill 98,000 patients each year. They injure many more. Additionally, only 1 in 8 victims will actually file a claim of medical malpractice. These cases are uncommon in comparison to the number of injuries that malpractice causes.

Myth 5: Minor injuries are the bases of most medical malpractice claims.

At least 80 percent of all medical malpractice cases stem from death or serious injuries. Only 3 percent do not involve adverse injuries.

Because minor injuries are not serious, the at-fault physicians usually settle the matter privately with the patient. Only serious cases become major lawsuits.

Myth 6: Doctors are unable to prevent most medical malpractice incidents.

This myth is untrue considering that 98,000 people die each year in the United States due to preventable medical errors. Although it is possible for patients to suffer an injury or illness despite responsible medical care, malpractice is still a tragic epidemic that is affecting far too many families.

If you or a loved one was the victim of physician negligence in Louisiana, contact the The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. David A. Bowling is a New Orleans wrongful death attorney who can assess your case to determine if you may be entitled to compensation. The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm is an AV-rated law Firm under Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation.