The holidays are an extremely busy time in most people’s lives. From traveling to extreme weather conditions to cooking up homemade meals for the family, accidents are bound to happen. Accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that in 2018, between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, over 1,000 driving fatalities happened, while New Year’s Day, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, respectively, are the top three days for home fires involving trees, candles, decorations, cooking and fireplaces.
It’s no surprise that during this time, hospitals are extremely busy. Because of the holidays, hospitals may be understaffed or staffed with healthcare providers who are the least experienced, resulting in mistakes and errors. This can lead to a potential medical malpractice case. The experienced attorneys at Spector Injury & Accident Lawyers are here to help you understand what medical malpractice and negligence look like and what to do if you fall victim during this holiday season.
WHAT IS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE?
In order to have a medical malpractice case, one must be able to prove medical negligence. Medical negligence occurs when a hospital, doctor or any other type of healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care, resulting in harm, injury or death to the patient. Examples of medical negligence can be:
- Misdiagnosis
- Surgical errors or unnecessary surgery
- Wrong medication or dosage
- Failure to recognize symptoms
- Misreading lab results
- Early discharge or poor follow-up care
- Disregarding patient’s medical history
STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
According to a recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States with more than 250,000 deaths occurring every year. This results in roughly 10% of U.S. deaths annually. Being aware of these risks can help you and your family stay safe during the holiday season and avoid any accidents that could result in medical negligence.
HOW WE CAN HELP
No one should have to be concerned with a hospital or emergency room visit during the holiday season. Our professional lawyers at Spector Law specialize in medical malpractice cases, as well as auto accidents. It’s important to contact Spector Injury & Accident Lawyers right away if you believe you are a victim of malpractice, our team can help you with a settlement and the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
