More than 98,000 people die each year from medical malpractice. In fact, more people die from medical mistakes than from car accident deaths. That says something. While the AMA helps lead the charge for so-called “tort reform,” attacking attorneys for “frivolous” lawsuits, the numbers don’t lie: people are injured and many even die from doctor’s preventable mistakes. All told, more than 1.3 million people are injured each year by medical malpractice, or mistakes by physicians, at an annual cost to the U.S. of $29 billion. As part of the carnage, 7,000 lives a year are lost to prescription errors in the U.S., and one percent of all hospitalized patients in a given year will be injured while in the hospital. Hospital negligence alone claims an average of 80,000 lives annually, 1,500 of whom fall victim to surgical procedures.     

Some insurance companies are now refusing to make payments to doctors and hospitals for medical mistakes, but victims often don’t have that option if they’ve been maimed or killed by physician errors. That’s where medical malpractice attorneys at Matthews and Associates come in. We stand up for people injured by medical malpractice.

When physicians or staff ignore or disregard critical treatment options, a patient’s suffering increases and that patient will suffer further long after the treatment is complete. Sometimes, medical negligence can have destructive or distressing consequences, altering the lives of a patient and family for years, if not forever. Studies have shown that patients harmed in medical procedures rarely sue for damages. According to one Harvard study, only one in eight case of medical negligence ever sees a claim brought against the medical professional or care facility responsible. Other studies show that relatively few doctors are responsible for most of the medical malpractice claims. In a study conducted by the West Virginia Gazette, 40 doctors were responsible for over 25% of all medical malpractice cases in that state.

Errors are unfortunate and frequently tragic, but the reality is that they happen and must be rectified as much as humanly possible. Medical errors can result in health complications, significant loss of life quality, devastating medical bills, even long term care, and one should not have to bear this terrible burden without help. A qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorney at Matthews and Associates can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries or loss.

Call or email us for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, receiving no compensation whatsoever unless we accept and win your case.