Why is medical malpractice not reported more often?

Friday April 15, 2016

The Civil Justice Resource Group found that only about 2.9 percent of victims of medical malpractice will actually file a claim. What’s even more surprising is that only about 5 percent of those that file a claim will receive a payment of some sort.

Why are the numbers so low? People want to believe that when they go to the hospital, they are going to get better. However, there are three areas where the processes used in a hospital can affect you negatively. These are the failures of actual treatment, the failures of implementation and the failures of process and procedure. Medical records are covered under the failures of process and procedure. Errors are often found in these records, resulting in the wrong medication being order, the wrong surgery being performed and more.

Implementation deals with whether a physician made the right call in relation to your injury or illness. Was your illness or injury misdiagnosed? Was the right testing done? Did you get the right treatment?

The third deals with if the information was interpreted and evaluated properly. Was a surgery done incorrectly?

Patients who file lawsuits for medical malpractice want to know why their illness or injury was made worse, who is at fault and how they can keep the mistake from happening again.

Medical malpractice cases are very expensive due to their length and complexity. The awards are generally larger because of this as well.

If you are injured by medical negligence, then you should keep notes of your medical situation, as well as videos and pictures. This proof can be very beneficial to you in court when you are trying to show what has happened.

An experienced medical negligence attorney can help you understand your legal options.

Source: syracuse.com, “Medical malpractice: what it is, and why it isn’t reported more frequently,” accessed April 15, 2016

Get in Touch

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation

At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., we handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.

Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today.

News & insights
Everything You Need to Know Before Filing a Pharmaceutical Lawsuit
Insights

Everything You Need to Know Before Filing a Pharmaceutical Lawsuit

21

September
2023

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Deceased After the Accident?
Articles

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Deceased After the Accident?

18

September
2023

What To Do After a Road Construction Accident
Articles

What To Do After a Road Construction Accident

12

September
2023

KJSR Attorney Stephanie Roberge Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year”: 2024
Insights

KJSR Attorney Stephanie Roberge Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year”: 2024

12

September
2023

KJSR Attorney John Kennedy Jr. Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year”: 2024
News

KJSR Attorney John Kennedy Jr. Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year”: 2024

8

September
2023

News

Six KJSR Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers® Award Recipients: 2024

21

August
2023

What To Look for in a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Articles

What To Look for in a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

18

August
2023

How to Know Who Is Liable for a Construction Site Accident
Insights

How to Know Who Is Liable for a Construction Site Accident

11

August
2023

Workers’ Compensation Lawsuit: What To Know Before Filing
Articles

Workers’ Compensation Lawsuit: What To Know Before Filing

7

July
2023

How To Choose a Connecticut Construction Accident Lawyer
Articles

How To Choose a Connecticut Construction Accident Lawyer

5

July
2023