Medical Malpractice Statistics

San Antonio enjoys a rich history of medical professionals serving our community at the highest levels. Even among the most skilled professionals, however, mistakes are made that have tragic results in the lives of people who entrust their medical care to physicians and dentists.

Medical malpractice results when a health care provider, either by their actions or failure to act, is found to be negligent. This results in treatments or procedures that fail to meet the accepted standards expected of the medical community. Medical malpractice may result in serious injury or even death to a patient and have life-altering effects on the patient and their family. The attorneys at Carabin Shaw assist those affected by medical malpractice every day to help families who are affected by the negligence of health care providers.

Medical malpractice statistics have seen a dramatic increase over the last thirty years. In 1984, when available records were sparse, estimates indicated between 44,000 and 98,000 patients died as a result of medical errors by hospital staff. In 2014, the Journal of Patient Safety cited a study estimating 400,000 avoidable deaths among hospital patients. This statistic puts medical malpractice third as the leading cause of death in the United States.

In a separate study reported by Reuters in 2010, more than 1 million patients were injured and the costs of these incidents cost over $300 million.

Some of the most recent medical malpractice statistics are alarming:

• 5.6% of medical malpractice payment reports made against dentists were in Texas 1990-2003
• 1,894 medical malpractice payment reports were made against dentists in Texas 1990-2003
• 1,098 medical malpractice payment reports were made against physicians in Texas 2003
• 7.7% of medical malpractice payment reports made against physicians were in Texas 2003
• 3.8% of medical malpractice payment reports made against dentists were in Texas 2003
• 64 medical malpractice payment reports were made against dentists in Texas 2003
• 5.6% of medical malpractice payment reports made against dentists were in Texas 1990-2003
• $229,314 in mean medical malpractice payments was made by physicians in Texas 2003
• $150,000 in median medical malpractice payments was made by physicians in Texas 2003
• 13,717 (7.4%) medical malpractice payment reports were made against physicians in Texas 1990-2003
• 399 (9%) medical malpractice payment reports were made against nurses in Texas 1990-2003
• 7.4% of medical malpractice payment reports made against physicians were in Texas 1990-2003
• 9.0% of medical malpractice payment reports made against nurses were in Texas 1990-2003

(all medical malpractice statistics from the 2003 Annual Report, National Practitioner Data Bank, US DHHS)

If you’re in San Antonio and have experienced an injury or suffered the loss of a loved one in the course of receiving medical care, you may be able to seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim. There are several legal issues that must be established by an attorney to determine if a health care provider was negligent.

1. First, it must be determined that the health care provider(s) had a legal duty to treat the patient.
2. Second, it must be proven that the health care provider(s) failed to meet their responsibility to the patient.
3. Third, the failure to meet this duty must be shown to be the direct cause of the injury or death of the patient.
4. Fourth, it must also be shown that the failure to meet the duty was outside the norm of generally accepted standards for the health care profession.
5. Fifth, the intent and/or malice of the actions of the health care provider must be demonstrated.
6. Sixth, damages in the form of financial loss and/or emotional impact must be established.

As you can see, pursuing a medical malpractice claim is an overwhelming process. The healthcare industry in San Antonio is a large community of corporations with teams of highly skilled lawyers working to protect their interests against claims of negligence. You need the help of a San Antonio medical malpractice lawyer on your side.

The lawyers of Carabin Shaw are here to help give you a voice and stand up to the big healthcare companies so you can receive the compensation you deserve.

Call us today for a free consultation and let us go to work for you. You can reach one of our experienced attorneys in San Antonio at 800-862-1260.