Fact Sheet About Medical Malpractice
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania’s Research and Statistics Department is responsible for collecting and analyzing data regarding cases filed in the state. According to statistics published by the agency, there were 1,463 total medical malpractice cases filed in the state of Pennsylvania during 2014. Below are some additional statistics specific to Montgomery County in 2014:
- There were 89 medical malpractice cases filed in the county, representing an increase of more than 300 percent from the 2000-2002 average of 22.
- Of the nine cases that went to a jury verdict, only two were decided in favor of the plaintiff.
- There were zero non-jury medical malpractice verdicts during 2014.
Medical Malpractice Incidents
Medical malpractice is a form of professional negligence that occurs when a medical professional’s conduct does not meet the relevant standard of care defined as by the profession. When medical malpractice occurs, the results can be devastating for victims and their families. With a population of over 30,000, Norristown will undoubtedly see its fair share of medical malpractice incidents every year.
Common Causes of Medical Malpractice Injuries
Medical malpractice can take a variety of forms, some of which may not be readily apparent to people who are unfamiliar with the practice of law or medicine. As a result, it is important for anyone who has experienced an adverse outcome after receiving medical attention to have their case evaluated by an experienced attorney. Some of the more common types of events that involve medical malpractice are described below.
Failure to Diagnose
When people seek medical attention, they rightfully expect that their medical condition is accurately identified and treated. When doctors or other medical professionals miss a diagnosis due to their negligence, victims may fail to receive the treatment they need. As a result, they may be able to bring a legal claim to recover financial compensation.
Medication Errors
Medication errors are among the most dangerous kinds of medical malpractice that can occur. These types of mistakes involve issues like prescribing the wrong medication, administering the incorrect dosage, failing to check for contraindications, or administering the wrong medication to the wrong patient.
Birth Injuries
Negligence during childbirth in a common and extremely dangerous form of medical malpractice that can result in devastating results. Among the ways in which birth injuries occur are failure to recognize a medical condition in the mother or the newborn, inadequate monitoring of vital signs, improper use of medical instruments, and failure to perform a cesarean section in a timely manner.
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors have the potential leave victims with extremely serious injuries that can affect them on a daily basis for the rest of their lives. Common examples of surgical errors include operating on the wrong body part, performing a procedure on the wrong patient, leaving a surgical instrument inside of a patient’s body, or performing the wrong procedure.
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Norristown residents are regularly victims of medical malpractice. Anyone who believes that they have been hurt by the negligence of a medical professional should talk to an attorney as soon as possible.
Investigating Medical Malpractice Cases Requires Resources
In many instances, successfully litigating a medical malpractice case requires significant investigation. In turn, this type of investigation often requires a significant investment of time and money, sometimes ranging into the tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately for victims of medical malpractice, the law firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, PC has the resources available to successfully litigate your case and recover compensation on your behalf.
Some medical malpractice cases require the assistance of medical professionals who were not directly involved in your case in order to establish the relevant standard of care. If your case goes to trial, these professionals can often act as expert witnesses and help juries understand how the care that you received fell below the accepted standard of care.
In addition, many medical malpractice cases require that you obtain medical records and other documentation regarding the incident that led to your injury. Getting these documents and understanding them is often very difficult, which is why it is best for medical malpractice victims to do so with the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. offers a FREE CONSULTATION.
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Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 567-3500
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