Medical Errors Drive Up the Cost of Medical Care

In recent years the country has been in an ongoing debate about access to health care and the millions of Americans who can not afford health insurance.  We've all seen the skyrocketing increases in premiums.  Business owners face hefty tabs to provide coverage for their employees and employees are having to pay a higher percentage of their premiums. 

It is hard to find a good answer to the critical question of why it is so expensive to obtain health care.  According to an insurance study, each year $17 billion is spent treating the 1.5 million patients who are injured due to medical malpractice.  Examples include preventable pressure ulcers, retained surgical sponges, medication errors, misdiagnosis of cancer, and other serious mistakes. 

There is certainly no quick fix to our health care system and its skyrocketing costs.  However, a starting point has to be reducing medical malpractice.  The $17 billion spent treating patients who suffer from malpractice is just the medical costs.  It excludes the lost income, lost productivity, and the human costs of losing the enjoyment of life. 

We are often asked what happens to the money when someone settles a medical malpractice case.  In addition to compensating the victim, often times the money pays for medical expenses that would otherwise be paid by the taxpayers.  If you have witnessed firsthand the consequences of medical malpractice, please feel free to contact us to discuss your legal rights.