There are a lot of myths surrounding medical malpractice that stop most victims from filing malpractice lawsuits against doctors. This enables medical practitioners to get away with the consequences patients face as a result of medical negligence during treatment. Some of the mistakes made by medical practitioners have left many victims injured, dead, or with serious health issues. Here are some of the myths associated with medical malpractice.
- There Are More Than Enough Frivolous Malpractice Cases Against Doctors
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It is a fact that a medical malpractice case is not a get rich quick scheme. In some cases, malpractice suits against doctors can go for years before going to court or getting a judgment. According to research, there are more than 100,000 deaths or injuries suffered because of misdiagnosis, oversight, hospital errors, infections and prescription errors. Even so, less than 6 percent of all civil lawsuits are related to medical malpractice. Therefore, if you feel that you were not given the medical attention and service you deserve, don’t be afraid to file that malpractice lawsuit.
- Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Have Made the Cost of Healthcare Expensive
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Medical malpractice adds more than 25 billion dollars to the direct cost of providing additional healthcare annually. This additional healthcare would not be necessary if the doctors did what was required of them when initially treating the patient. In most malpractice lawsuits against doctors, settlements are negotiated and paid by insurance providers outside the courtroom. Legal costs paid by the healthcare industry for malpractice cases amount to a minimum 7 billion dollars annually. This is less than 0.3% of the 2.2 trillion dollars spent annually on healthcare.
- Doctors Are Hesitant About Practicing in States That Don’t Have A Limit for Medical Malpractice Suits
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The number of licensed physicians in the United States per 100,000 citizens increases every year. This is despite an increase in the number of malpractice lawsuits against doctors. Actually, states that have a limitation on the amount a plaintiff can sue for have a fewer number of medical practitioners than states that do not have a limitation.
- Doctors Pay High Premiums Which Is Passed on To Patients
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If you have ever filed an insurance claim, you know that premiums are higher with every claim filed. However, things may work a little different in the medical world. In as much as the cost of medical insurance has gone up but this is because of the economic conditions and not because of injury and settlement deals.
- Capping Jury Verdicts Can Lower Insurance Rates for Doctors
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Every state that has capped the amount you can claim in medical malpractice to a maximum of 250,000 dollars have medical malpractice insurance covers with higher premiums than states with no cap for the maximum amount.
There you have it, the different myths about medical malpractice. If you feel that you have a case, it is always advisable to find the right lawyer for your case and push for compensation. It is your right to enjoy proper and accurate health care. Do not let simple myths stop you from filing a medical malpractice case.
