Multiple studies show that medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in this country. It is estimated that between 250,000 and 450,000 people die each year of medical mistakes. One of the places where these errors occur is the emergency room.
Anyone who has ever had the unfortunate experience of having to go to the emergency room can attest to how chaotic it can be. Patients are there for a variety of reasons, from minor ailments or injuries to life and death situations such as heart attacks or car crashes. But if a medical professional is negligent and that negligence results in a patient’s injury or death, a medical malpractice lawsuit may be necessary for financial justice.
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How Common Are ER Errors?
According to national statistics, approximately 10 percent of all emergency room visits result in a medical error. To understand just how enormous an issue this is, keep in mind that there are about 100 million patients who visit emergency rooms each year. This means that there are approximately 10 million emergency room medical errors that happen each year. Many of these medical errors have the potential of being fatal for the patient.
The most common emergency room errors that occur are:
- Administrative errors, such as confusing patient records or mislabeling of diagnostic test results
- Delayed diagnosis
- Failure to appropriately treat an illness or infection
- Failure to check the patient medical history
- Failure to consult appropriate specialists or experts
- Failure to provide appropriate aftercare to a patient
- Failure to provide essential medical treatment
- Improper or unhygienic care that causes an infection
- Improper response to imminent conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes
- Incorrect use of a medical device
- Medication errors
- Misdiagnosis
- Misinterpretation of laboratory or test results
- Ordering the wrong diagnostic tests for a patient
Contact a Virginia Medical Error Attorney Today
We put our trust in doctors and other medical professionals that they will heal us, not harm us. Medical errors are preventable, and the damage they cause can change a person’s life forever. If you have been injured because of an emergency room or other type of medical error or have lost a loved one due to medical staff mistakes, contact a Virginia medical malpractice attorney to discuss what legal options may be available to you.
At Shapiro & Appleton, we have been advocating for injured victims for more than three decades and will work diligently to get you and your family the financial compensation you deserve for the injuries and losses you have suffered. Call our office today to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation and find out how our legal team can help.