The public puts a great deal of trust into the hospitals that treat us. Unfortunately, an alarming number of patients each year are the victims of medical errors due to negligence. While hospitals have certainly gotten somewhat better over the years, there is still a lot of room for improvement.
A recent study assessed 535 hospitals throughout California, Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, which ultimately revealed some disturbing statistics. A few of the most surprising results of the study, which was conducted by a nursing professor at the University of Pennsylvania, are as follows:
- Nearly 55 percent of the roughly 13,000 nurses questioned in the study “would not definitely recommend their hospital”
- Nearly 42 percent of nurses questioned said that “things fall between the cracks”
- About 37 percent of nurses involved in the study said that “important information is lost” as work shifts change and that “staff do not feel free to question authority”
- Roughly 29 percent of nurses questioned did not give their hospital a favorable grade for the prevention of infections
- 71 percent of hospitals had made no improvements in their clinical work environments between 2005 and 2016
- 7 percent of hospitals actually had a decrease in the quality of their work environment between the two studies
With statistics like these, it is not terribly surprising that thousands of patients are the victims of medical negligence each year. Medical negligence often results in significant burdens for the victims for years down the road. There are often situations in which medical malpractice results in the death of a patient that could have been avoided if the staff had provided better care.
Some of the many medical malpractice cases that we have experience handling include the following:
- Birth injuries, such as Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy, brain injuries, C-section injuries, and more
- Diagnosis errors, including misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and failure to diagnose cancer
- Medication errors
- Brain injuries
- Stroke errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Medical device injuries
If you have been the victim of hospital negligence, it is important to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Additionally, if you have lost a loved one as a result of medical negligence, our firm may be able to help you pursue wrongful death benefits. While nothing can truly fix the pain of being the victim of medical malpractice, it may help to hold offenders accountable and find justice during this trying time. If you have questions, contact our firm today.
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
