Understanding Medical Malpractice – One of the Leading Causes of Wrongful Death in Florida

Medical malpractice has become the third highest cause of death in the United States. Every year, around 200,000 people die as a direct result of careless or negligent actions made by doctors, nurses, lab technicians, physical therapists, pharmacies and hospitals. Statistics show that nearly 20,000 people die from hospital errors, 80,000 people die from infections acquired in hospitals, 12,000 people die from unnecessary surgery, 7,000 die from prescription or medication errors and a shocking 106,000 deaths occur every year due to the negative effects of various medications.

When a family member is taken from you unexpectedly, filing a wrongful death suit may be the last thing on your mind. However, this may be the only way for you and your family to obtain justice for the wrongful death of a loved one.

A Villages Wrongful Death Attorney at Whittel & Melton can help you determine if someone close to you died as a result of medical malpractice. We can make sure you receive the financial compensation you are entitled to for medical bills, loss of income and pain and suffering.

Medical malpractice can arise from any number of scenarios, including:

Misdiagnosis – This happens to be one of the most common reasons a Florida medical malpractice case may arise. Misdiagnosis can cause a patient to go undiagnosed, endure dangerous treatment or die. Conditions that are most frequently misdiagnosed include heart attack, cancer, appendicitis and infections.

Improper Treatment – While a medical condition may have been correctly diagnosed, sometimes patients fail to receive the proper care needed to fully treat the problem. Medical malpractice can include failure to treat, failure to follow up, early discharge and even failure to recommend specialized care.

Surgical Errors – Surgical errors can include leaving objects behind in the body, operating on the wrong side of the body, anesthesiologist mistakes, vascular or nerve damage and many other types of careless mistakes.

Medication Errors – Sadly, many Americans fall ill, become injured or die every year because of medical errors related to prescribing, dispensing or taking medications.

If you have suffered the sudden loss of someone you love due to a medical mistake, a Villages Wrongful Death Attorney at Whittel & Melton can help you understand your legal rights. Contact us today online or call 352-369-5334. We are available 24/7 to discuss your claim and can even make house calls and hospital visits.