Data from the last decade or so show that approximately 61 percent of doctors have been sued by the last third of their career, either as the only defendant or as one of many. This notably affects many doctors’ thinking and choices in terms of diagnosis, which can in turn make them overconfident or less inclined to attempt certain treatment methods. This reticence can play a role in several common causes of medical malpractice,
What are the most common types of malpractice that occur?
An Orlando medical malpractice lawyer knows that failure to diagnose makes up the highest percentage of all medical malpractice claims.
Other common causes can vary whether someone seeking care is inpatient or outpatient. Surgical errors are the number one cause for inpatient injuries, which will often lead to malpractice claims, especially if the injury is egregious. Another common reason given for bringing a malpractice suit is experiencing an error related to pregnancy or prenatal care – as one might imagine, people are more likely to bring suit if their children are affected.
Which types of doctors have the most malpractice lawsuits filed against them?
National data shows that general surgeons and OB-GYNs as the specialties most likely to be sued. This makes sense, for two reasons. The first is that both of these disciplines sustain a high incidence of failure to diagnose and abnormal injury, which are the two most common reasons that patients bring suit. Failure to diagnose in particular is common in the field of obstetrics/gynecology, with conditions such as endometriosis only just beginning to be understood, and thus often missed by practitioners.
Another possible reason for the preponderance of malpractice claims in these areas is that surgery and obstetrics/gynecology are two disciplines where it is somewhat more difficult to practice what most medical practitioners call defensive medicine. Professionals define defensive medicine as “the ordering of treatment or tests” designed more to safeguard a medical professional from liability than for actual diagnosis – a practice some find distasteful, but it does save time and money by helping to minimize frivolous lawsuits so that those truly injured may seek compensation. In regard to surgery, especially, it can be difficult to take extra steps so as to lower one’s risk of frivolous lawsuits.
Contact Our Firm for Assistance
There are valid and invalid reasons to bring suit against a doctor, and it is not always easy to tell which is which. If you need guidance, consulting an Orlando medical malpractice lawyer can be a good idea. Call The Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation
Claims of medical malpractice in Florida are an accepted risk of going into business as a practitioner. However, there are some specialties that do tend to have claims brought against them more often than others, for a variety of reasons. It can be important to understand why this occurs, and what sort of claims are brought, so you can be certain that if you are harmed by a medical mistake, you bring the appropriate action against the appropriate person. A medical malpractice lawyer in Orlando FL can assist you with these actions.