Medical Malpractice

More people die each year from medical mistakes than from motor vehicle accidents or breast cancer. A study by the Institute of Medicine estimates that medical errors in hospitals result in 40,000 to 98,000 deaths each year. Up to 7,000 people die from errors in prescribing medicine. One of the best tools to attempt to correct this crisis in medicine is to hold negligent hospitals and physicians accountable for their mistakes. Please see the Institute of Medicine or the American Medical Association.

Medical Malpractice occurs when a health care provider fails to act with a reasonable standard of care and causes a new or aggravated injury to the patient. Some examples of medical malpractice include:

• Failure or delay in diagnosing or misdiagnosis of a medical condition
  
• Surgical or anesthesia related mishap during an operation
  
• Failure to gain the "informed consent" of the patient (failing to disclose to the patient the risks associated with the procedure)
  
• Failure to manage a pregnancy or deliver a baby in a safe manner
  
• Failure to properly treat a medical condition after making a correct diagnosis
  
• Failure to administer medications properly

In addition to death, medical mistakes can cause birth trauma, brain injury, paralysis, amputation, disability, and disfigurement. The resulting injuries are often permanent. The costs of a medical mistake can be an extreme hardship for the injured person and their family.

The following tips may help to establish a starting point for being a pro-active patient.

• Participate in your care. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
  
• Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
  
• Follow up on medical tests and don't be afraid to ask about the results if you are not notified.
  
• Let your doctor know about any allergies you have to medications or other substances.
  
• Provide your doctor and pharmacist with a list of medicines you are currently taking and have taken. Ask what side effects should be expected from a medicine or a procedure.
  
• Check to see the record with the state and county of the hospital or facility you are considering using.
  
• Don't be afraid to speak up if you feel that something is wrong. Always voice your concerns about treatment.
  
• Get regular check-ups and follow the guidance of your family physician.

The laws governing malpractice suits are among the most complex of all personal injury laws. It is important to speak with an attorney familiar with Missouri & Kansas law if you or a loved one has been injured due to medical malpractice. At The Law Offices of Barry R. Grissom, you can rest assured that we are dedicated to protecting your rights.
For more information concerning medical care you may want to visit the following websites:

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality
National Guideline Clearinghouse
Medline Plus
New England Journal of Medicine
Gray’s Anatomy
Institute of Medicine