The personal injury attorneys at d’Oliveira & Associates have posted a new infographic providing information on who may be liable for medical malpractice and what procedures may give rise to a medical malpractice claim.

According to a June 2009 Bloomberg article, it is estimated that expenses associated with medical malpractice amount to approximately $3.6 billion dollars per year (i). Additionally, in 2006, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement estimated that there 15 million incidents of medical harm each year (ii). Statistics like these suggest that everyone who receives any form of medical treatment should be aware of the basics of medical malpractice. Merriam-Webster defines malpractice as “a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an accepted degree of professional skill.” This definition explains the heart of any medical malpractice claim, the failure of a medical professional to act as a reasonable similarly situated medical professional would have acted.

Medical malpractice can be committed by any medical professional. This includes, but is not limited to, anesthesiologists, dentists, emergency room staff, nurses, surgeons, and therapists. Medical malpractice may be a result of an anesthesia mistake, birth injury, diagnostic error, surgical error, or any other medical error. A study published by the American College of Emergency Physicians in February 2007 found that 52% of medical errors in emergency rooms were due to diagnostic errors such as the failure to diagnose, delayed diagnosis, or misdiagnosis (iii).

The infographic provides information on medical professionals who may commit medical malpractice and common claims. It also provides statistics about medical malpractice settlements. For example, from 2000 until 2004, the U.S. Department of Justice found that 93% of all medical malpractice claims are settled before trial (iv). Learn more by visiting the medical malpractice webpage and viewing the infographic: Medical Malpractice Infographic.

If you or a loved one has suffered medical malpractice injuries, you may have a potential claim. You should find an experienced personal injury lawyer because you may only have one chance to obtain justice. A medical malpractice lawyer with legal knowledge can advise you on the merits of your potential claim. d’Oliveira & Associates, P.C., is working with some of the more experienced medical malpractice attorneys in the country who handle these cases. You can contact our law offices at 1-800-992-6878.