Oklahoma Medical Malpractice Law Library Selected Article Compiled on Friday October 04, 2024
Wrongful Death as a Result of Medical Malpractice
Improvements in medical technology and technique allow us to do many things we could not previously accomplish. We have diagnostic tools for detecting illnesses that were not named only a few decades ago. This should be saving many thousands of lives in the US. Unfortunately, medical errors kill an estimated 200,000 or more Americans every year, making it the third leading cause of death in the US.
Medical errors, often described as medical malpractice in legal terms, can cause death in many ways, including:
- Failure to diagnose/misdiagnosis
- Medication error
- Infection
- Surgical error
- Failure to recognize and treat emergency conditions
Many times, deaths occur suddenly and unexpectedly in what seem to be low-risk hospitalizations. This is generally due to a failure on doctor’s part to properly recognize significant risk factors. Sadly, patients often check in for routine procedures, and either never check out or are sent home with imminent threats to their life that result in death shortly after.
If you have lost a loved one due to suspected medical malpractice, you may be able to receive compensation for your loss. Please contact Self & Associates in Oklahoma City today for a free initial case evaluation.
Improvements in medical technology and technique allow us to do many things we could not previously accomplish. We have diagnostic tools for detecting illnesses that were not named only a few decades ago. This should be saving many thousands of lives in the US. Unfortunately, medical errors kill an estimated 200,000 or more Americans every year, making it the third leading cause of death in the US.
Medical errors, often described as medical malpractice in legal terms, can cause death in many ways, including:
Medical Malpractice: Harmful Errors, Few Lawsuits
How many patients are harmed by medical errors? It’s hard to say, because nationwide statistics are difficult to collect and analyze. However, based on recent estimates, it seems that it is likely a very large number. A November 2010 study by the Office of the Inspector General showed that about 1 in 7 patients suffer as a result of a medical error. Of these medical errors, nearly half (44%) were preventable.
How many of these injured patients file a lawsuit? The landmark 1990 Harvard Medical Practice Study showed that eight times more patients suffered as a result of a medical injury than filed lawsuits, and only about half of lawsuits resulted in any kind of compensation for victims.
And evidence suggests that the number of medical malpractice cases are falling. A 2011 compilation by the National Center for State Courts showed that in 2008 medical malpractice cases “represented well under 2 percent of all incoming civil cases.” In another 2011 study of cases from across seven states, medical malpractice filings fell by 18% overall, and in five states, the decrease ranged from 18% to 42%.
Despite the prevalence of medical malpractice and the declining number of claims and amount of compensation for victims, people continue to claim that medical malpractice lawsuits are out of control and are mostly “frivolous.”
If you have been the victim of a medical error, you know just how real the harms can be. If you have suffered pain, suffering, disability, and economic harms such as increased medical bills, lost wages, and inability to work, you know your claims are not frivolous.
We know, too, and we will fight for you. Please contact Self & Associates in Oklahoma City today to learn more about your rights after medical malpractice.
How many patients are harmed by medical errors? It’s hard to say, because nationwide statistics are difficult to collect and analyze. However, based on recent estimates, it seems that it is likely a very large number. A November 2010 study by the Office of the Inspector General showed that about 1 in 7 patients suffer as a result of a medical error. Of these medical errors, nearly half (44%) were preventable.
How many of these injured patients file a lawsuit? The landmark 1990 Harvard Medical Practice Study showed that eight times more patients suffered as a result of a medical injury than filed lawsuits,... Read More of This Article from our Oklahoma Medical Malpractice Law Library Selected Article
Medical Malpractice
Most medical professionals are committed to providing the best possible care for their patients and do so without causing any harm or injuries. However, medical professionals can cause you harm or injury if they act in a negligent manner or fail to do something necessary to properly treat your symptoms. When this happens, medical malpractice can occur and you may have a medical malpractice case.
By speaking with an experienced Edmond, Oklahoma medical malpractice lawyer like James Self at Self & Associates, you ensure that the medical professional who caused your injury is held liable and that you receive appropriate compensation. Attorney Self and his team will evaluate your case and discuss with you the legal actions that must be taken and what compensation you might be entitled to. He will also determine what type of medical malpractice case you have.
There are many types of medical malpractice cases including:
- Surgical malpractice
- Prescription errors
- Misdiagnosis
- Failure to diagnose
- Failure to treat
- Procedural errors
Medical malpractice can cause the wrongful death of a patient. In cases of death due to medical malpractice, the family of the patient is entitled to compensation. If you lost a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, economic loss, and funeral costs.
It is in your best interest to contact a medical malpractice lawyer at Self & Associates immediately to discuss your case. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases in Oklahoma is two years. You are likely to be denied compensation if you do not file your case within that time period.
If you were injured due to the negligence of a medical professional, please contact the experienced medical malpractice lawyers at Self & Associates to schedule your initial consultation today. We represent medical malpractice victims in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Tulsa, Midwest City and Norman, and statewide Oklahoma.
Most medical professionals are committed to providing the best possible care for their patients and do so without causing any harm or injuries. However, medical professionals can cause you harm or injury if they act in a negligent manner or fail to do something necessary to properly treat your symptoms. When this happens, medical malpractice can occur and you may have a medical malpractice case.
By speaking with an experienced Edmond, Oklahoma medical malpractice lawyer like James Self at Self & Associates, you ensure that the medical professional who caused your injury is held liable and... Read More of This Article from our Oklahoma Medical Malpractice Law Library Selected Article
Questions about Medical Malpractice
What do I need to prove in my medical malpractice case?
There are many different types of medical malpractice cases. Each type varies slightly in what needs to be proven. In most cases, you and Oklahoma City medical malpractice lawyer James Self will need to prove the following:
- Your health care provider was in charge of treating you
- The health care provider acted in a negligent manner
- You suffered a personal injury as a result of the health care provider’s actions
You have a right to compensation if you suffered a personal injury because your healthcare provider failed to properly treat your symptoms. You may not recover compensation if your injuries were not caused by your healthcare provider’s negligent actions. Attorney Self will work with you to prove you were injured and deserve compensation.
How long do I have to file my medical malpractice lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits in Oklahoma is two years. The statute of limitations is the specific period of time in which you are allowed to take legal action. You will not be entitled to compensation if you do not file your lawsuit within this time period. Attorney Self will ensure that your lawsuit is filed properly and in the correct amount of time.
What should I do if I believe I have a medical malpractice case?
The first step you should take after you believe you have been injured due to a medical professional is to contact medical malpractice lawyer James Self. Attorney Self will review your case with you in a free case evaluation. He will ask you questions about the care you were given and about your injuries. He will gather all the necessary paperwork and guide you through the legal process.
If you or a loved one has been injured to the negligence of your health care professional, please contact at the experienced medical malpractice lawyers at Self & Associates Personal Injury Law to schedule your initial consultation. We represent clients in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Edmond, Midwest City and Norma, and statewide Oklahoma.
What do I need to prove in my medical malpractice case?
There are many different types of medical malpractice cases. Each type varies slightly in what needs to be proven. In most cases, you and Oklahoma City medical malpractice lawyer James Self will need to prove the following:
- Your health care provider was in charge of treating you
- The health care provider acted in a negligent manner
- You suffered a personal injury as a result of the health care provider’s actions
You have a right to compensation if you suffered a... Read More of This Article from our Oklahoma Medical Malpractice Law Library Selected Article
Understanding Medical Malpractice
Every year, medical malpractice takes the lives of around 98,000 people in the United States alone. We are constantly placing our health and wellbeing in the hands of physicians, nurses, and other hospital employees. Although the vast majority of medical professionals have earned that trust through rigorous schooling and training, medical mistakes and negligence still occur.
Some of the more common types of medical malpractice include:
While suing a doctor or hospital for trivial reasons should not be encouraged, medical malpractice cases with merit are a key way of protecting patients’ rights, improving healthcare policies, and preserving the overall integrity of the medical profession. If a healthcare professional has compromised a patient’s health through medical negligence or error, they should be held accountable – especially when such mistakes result in costly treatment, and often leave patients facing a lifetime of consequences.
Medical malpractice cases can be extremely complex, demanding medical, legal, and scientific knowledge that carefully links evidence and testimonies together to build the strongest case possible. Consulting with an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you determine whether or not you have a case. Medical malpractice lawyers have access to experts in the medical field who help investigate each claim and develop the body of evidence necessary to prove that a medical professional is guilty of neglect or error.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or illness in Oklahoma due to a medical professional’s negligence, please contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Self and Associates today for a free consultation.
Every year, medical malpractice takes the lives of around 98,000 people in the United States alone. We are constantly placing our health and wellbeing in the hands of physicians, nurses, and other hospital employees. Although the vast majority of medical professionals have earned that trust through rigorous schooling and training, medical mistakes and negligence still occur.
Some of the more common types of medical malpractice include:
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