When you visit a doctor, you are relying on their knowledge and competence concerning your medical care, diagnosis, and treatment. You depend on them to make the right decisions and to provide you with the best outcome for your specific medical situation. Unfortunately, doctors are not perfect. They make mistakes. While it’s understandable that some mistakes will happen, there are certain mistakes that no doctor should ever make. These shocking, egregious errors are called “never events” and they are considered to be medical malpractice.
What is a Never Event?
Basically, a never event is a mistake that is so extreme, it is inexcusable. These are errors that should never occur, under any conditions, so they have been labeled “never events.” The following is a list of some mistakes that are defined as never events:
The above are all situations and events that should never happen in a healthcare facility or setting. If they do, then the medical professional or entity can be held legally responsible for the event.
How Common are Never Events?
Unfortunately, never events are more common than you can imagine. According to a 2012 study performed by researchers at John Hopkins University, there are 80,000 never events that happen in American hospitals every year. Data from the study includes the following staggering statistics:
Moreover, the study found that never event mistakes were often made by surgeons who had a track record of previous errors. In fact, nearly two-thirds of surgeons were cited with multiple malpractice occurrences.
What Should You Do If You Are a Victim of a Never Event?
If you or your loved one suffers an injury due to a never event, you likely have a strong case for a medical malpractice lawsuit against the medical professional or facility where the event occurred. That means that you could receive financial compensation for your injuries and other damages that you experienced as a result of the medical mistake.
Even though you may have a strong case for a medical malpractice lawsuit, it is important that you obtain an experienced and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney to represent you and ensure that you obtain the best possible outcome for your claim.
Ross Feller Casey has an unrivaled record of victories in medical malpractice lawsuits and has a team of experienced medical malpractice attorneys and doctors to review your case. Contact us today for a free evaluation. We handle medical malpractice cases on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay unless you receive a financial recovery.
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