Doctor or hospital error?

If you have suffered because of a medical error in Texas, the experienced malpractice attorneys at Aaron Allison can help you understand your rights. Since 1978, our Austin-based law firm has been working with victims of doctor and hospital error. We only accept legitimate cases with a strong likelihood of compensation, and you only owe attorney fees if we are able to help recover your losses.

The Most Common Types of Doctor and Hospital Error

Medical mistakes are estimated to be the third leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for up to 440,000 deaths per year. The most common medical errors in America are:

• Adverse drug events. Adverse drug events account for 1 in 3 of all hospital injuries. Adverse drug events include medication errors, adverse drug reactions, allergic reactions, and accidental overdoses. 
• Infection. Unfortunately, infections are extremely common, even in hospital settings. The most common preventable medical infections are catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections. 
• Injury. Doctor and hospital error can lead to a wide range of injuries, including injuries from falls and immobility, pressure ulcers, and restraint-related injuries.  
• Surgical errors. While surgical errors are statistically rare, accounting for only 1 in 112,000 procedures, the results can be devastating. The most common surgical errors are operating on the wrong part of the body, performing the wrong procedure, or performing the procedure on the incorrect patient. Other surgical errors can be implanting the wrong device or implanting it incorrectly so it doesn’t work as designed, or failing to account for surgical equipment. Medical staff sometimes also fail to respond correctly to surgical complications or provide the correct post-operative care. 
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. The majority of medical mistakes are related to diagnostic errors. Diagnostic errors can include an incorrect diagnosis, failure to make the correct diagnosis, or failing to make the correct diagnosis on time. Doctor errors related to diagnosis are typically caused by failure to order the necessary diagnostic tests, failure to consider abnormal test findings, and failure to consider all available medical information to make the correct diagnosis. 

The most common causes of medical errors include medical staff fatigue, communication errors among staff and between staff and patients, and failure to follow established policies, procedures, and protocols. 

Medical mistakes are also more likely when the patient has other physical or mental health conditions that affect how symptoms are presented. 

What are the Consequences of Medical Errors?

Doctor and hospital errors can have terrible consequences for the patient and their loved ones. Some of the most common consequences for patients include:

• Potentially fatal medication errors. Studies show that 20 to 55 percent of medication errors are “serious”, while 5 percent are potentially fatal. In-hospital medication errors cause an average increase of $4,700 in costs per admission.
• Hospital-acquired infections. The CDC estimates that hospital-acquired infections cost $28.4 billion each year, and patients or insurers pay an estimated $5000 — $25,000 per infection. Healthcare-acquired infections can be extremely serious, increasing the length of hospitalization and recovery time, and potentially leading to sepsis or death. 
• Injuries received in medical settings. A surprising number of people are injured in falls in hospitals and care facilities. Hospitals often have wet or slippery floors, and patients may be weak from illness or disoriented in unfamiliar surroundings. In addition, many people who are in health care facilities for long periods become the victims of pressure ulcers and other physical injuries. Pressure ulcers cost an average charge per admission of $37,800. 

Studies show that, altogether, hospital errors cause as many as 98,000 Americans to die in hospitals every year, and that over half of medical errors are preventable. Preventable doctor and hospital errors cost up to $29 billion every year in healthcare costs, lost income, lost production, and disability. 

If you are caring for a loved one who has experienced a doctor or hospital error, it can be a confusing and frustrating experience. You may have spent time and money on treatments that aren’t effective, or had your loved one experience injuries and complications that increased medical costs and lengthened their time away from work. You may also have lost a loved one due to medical mistakes or malpractice. It may also be difficult to get clear answers from medical staff to understand whether mistakes have been made. If you suspect medical errors or negligence, keep detailed written records and contact a malpractice attorney immediately. 

Are Victims of Hospital Error Entitled to Compensation?

Medical patients should expect safety when receiving care, and should not be exposed to a greater risk of illness or injury. In addition, every medical condition has a corresponding recommended treatment plan, known as the “standard of care.” If a doctor or hospital creates an unsafe environment or does not follow the established standards of care, they may be negligent. If the patient suffers increased pain, disability, or medical costs as a result of that negligence, they may be entitled to compensation. If you have lost a loved one due to doctor error, you may also be entitled to recovery. 

How Can Aaron Allison Help Victims of Medical Errors?

At Aaron Allison law firm, our attorneys are experts in medical malpractice and negligence. We offer free consultations to medical error victims in Texas, to help you understand your rights and your chances of recovery. If you have been a victim of doctor or hospital error, contact us today.