When we enter a hospital or clinic, we place our lives in the hands of professionals. While most healthcare providers are dedicated and skilled, systemic failures can lead to catastrophic results. According to research from Johns Hopkins University, medical errors are now considered the third leading cause of death in the United States.
At Parker Alexander, we believe patients deserve transparency and accountability. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a medical mistake, contact us at (318) 625-6262 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
The Alarming Statistics of Patient Safety
For years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ranked respiratory disease as the third leading cause of death. However, patient safety experts at Johns Hopkins suggest that the CDC’s tracking methods are outdated. Because death certificates rely on billing codes rather than specifically accounting for human or systemic error, these tragedies often go unrecorded in national statistics.
By analyzing data over an eight-year period, researchers calculated that more than 250,000 deaths per year are due to medical errors. This figure surpasses respiratory disease and places medical mistakes right behind heart disease and cancer in terms of lethality. You can read the full Johns Hopkins study here.
Why Medical Errors Occur
The researchers, led by Dr. Martin Makary, emphasized that these errors are rarely the result of "bad doctors." Instead, they are typically caused by systemic issues within the healthcare industry, including:
- Poorly coordinated care between departments.
- Fragmented insurance networks.
- The absence of safety nets to catch mistakes.
- Unwarranted variations in physician practice patterns.
Because these errors are not officially classified as a cause of death by the CDC, they often do not receive the public health funding or research attention necessary to implement life-saving protocols.
Your Rights in Personal Injury and Malpractice Cases
If a medical error has resulted in a serious injury or the loss of a family member, it is essential to understand your legal options. These cases fall under the umbrella of Personal Injury law, specifically medical malpractice. Navigating the complexities of hospital systems and insurance companies requires an experienced legal team.
How a Monroe Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Our firm is dedicated to helping victims of negligence secure the compensation they need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We invite you to learn more about our team and our history of success:
- Meet our team on our Attorney Bios page.
- View our previous Case Results.
- Read Testimonials from clients we have helped.
For more information on medical negligence, visit our Monroe medical malpractice attorney page or browse our blog for recent updates on patient safety.
Contact Parker Alexander Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of a medical error alone. We provide professional, informative guidance to help you determine if you have a claim.
Call Parker Alexander at (318) 625-6262 or reach out via our contact form to schedule your private consultation.