Choose Your Doctor Carefully: Avoiding Medical Malpractice

The relationship between physicians and patients is a sacred one: as patients, we rely on the judgment and experience of our doctors as we seek treatment for medical issues. It is a very personal confidence, and one that, when breached, can leave patients reeling. If you have been injured as a result of a medical provider’s negligence, seeking the help of a local medical malpractice lawyer may be your best option.

Repeat Offenders in the Medical Field 

It may surprise some people to learn that the majority of malpractice claims in this country involve a relatively small fraction of medical providers.  Studies tell us, in fact, that roughly one-third of all malpractice claims involve just one percent of doctors.

Predicting Future Claims 

While any physician may at some time in their career experience a malpractice claim, those with two claims had roughly double the risk of having a third claim. Those with three claims had triple the risk of having a fourth claim, and those with half a dozen claims had 12 times the likelihood of having another.

Commonly Sued Specialty Areas 

The risk of malpractice suits is linked to some degree to the specialty area of medicine.  Compared to physicians working in internal medicine, the risk doubles for physicians working in plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, or obstetrics.  Psychiatrists and pediatricians are least likely to be involved in claims of malpractice. 

Age and Gender Factors 

Research indicates that younger physicians—under age 35– are more than 30 percent less likely to have a recurrent problem with medical malpractice claims than their older contemporaries.  Additionally, men are 40 percent more likely than their female counterparts to have a recurrence.

Choosing Carefully 

Do the statistics cited here mean that you should never choose a male doctor over the age of 35 or you’re putting yourself at risk of medical malpractice?  Of course not.  Statistics do not address the training, commitment, and experience of individual practitioners.  Every physician should be judged on his or her own merit.  Perhaps the most telling fact to consider is a particular physician’s history of malpractice claims.

Pursuing a Medical Malpractice Case 

If you have been victim to substandard medical care and have been harmed as a result, you may wish to consider filing a lawsuit.  Such action would require demonstrating that, due to the negligence of a medical professional, you suffered a significant injury, to include but not limited to:

• Chronic pain;
• Persistent hardships;
• Emotional suffering;
• Significant income reductions;
• Disability.

To discuss the road forward, contact the experienced and effective legal team at The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes, LLC in Baltimore. The consultation will give you a sense of the potential challenges and benefits ahead should you choose to pursue legal action.

Resource:

medicalnewstoday.com/releases/305710.php

https://www.hbarneslaw.com/responding-to-medical-malpractice/