Common Myths About Medical Malpractice Claims
February 10, 2020
Health care professionals have a duty of care to protect patients from harm. While most health care providers take this responsibility very seriously and provide the best possible care, medical mistakes can happen. In fact, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. While some of these mistakes are simply medical errors, others are the result of negligence. When a patient is harmed as a result of negligence, they have a right to pursue legal action against the doctor or the hospital. However, there are some widely accepted myths about medical malpractice that prevent patients from filing claims.
The following are the most common myths and distorted facts about medical malpractice claims:
- Medical errors are rare: Unfortunately, this is not true. Between 44,000 and 98,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of preventable medical errors. The actual number is likely higher as hospitals do not record medical errors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical errors are rarely noted on death certificates. If they were, they would rank higher than strokes, heart attacks, respiratory failure, and liver and kidney diseases as cause of death.
- Filing a medical malpractice claim is frivolous: While there is an assumption that most medical malpractice cases involve minor injuries, 80 percent of cases involve serious injuries or fatalities. This myth is perpetuated by insurance companies who suggest that these lawsuits are only filed by those looking for easy money.
- Medical malpractice claims increase health care costs: Despite the common misconception, medical malpractice payouts are only responsible for less than one percent of total health care costs to consumers. In fact, the losses from legal verdicts, settlements, and fees have stayed under one percent for the past eighteen years. The rising health care costs are not caused by medical malpractice claims. Rather, they are caused by increasing the cost of insurance to patients and physicians, as well as denying claims.
- Medical malpractice lawsuits are too expensive. If a plaintiff represents themselves in a medical malpractice case, they will typically recover less than one percent of the total dollars. While it costs a significant amount of money to hire a lawyer, they are much more likely to recover a substantial amount of money. Ultimately, the plaintiff has a better chance of reaching a successful settlement with the help of a skilled legal professional who has their best interests at heart.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Medical Errors
If you were injured while under the care of a health care provider, the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will thoroughly review your case and address all your questions and concerns. Our skilled legal team will determine whether negligence was involved and hold that individual liable for their actions. We will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
