Medical errors associated with medical malpractice are not uncommon in Oklahoma and across the U.S.; in fact they account for more deaths than car accidents, AIDS and breast cancer each year, making it the third leading cause of death in the United States. The most devastating thing about medical errors is that many of them are completely preventable, often caused by factors like improper training, carelessness and fatigue due to working long hours. Negligence in the medical field in the form of medical malpractice is estimated to result in a shocking 80,000 deaths each year – 22,000 of which are caused by various hospital errors, 13,500 of which are linked to unnecessary surgery, and 8,000 of which are caused by medication errors. Medical mistakes can lead to devastating injury and tragic loss of life. If you believe you have been injured in some way by a medical error, contact our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at AMA Law today.
TYPES OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IN OKLAHOMA
You’ve heard about the people who put markings on their affected limb when preparing for amputation surgery. Unfortunately, they do so for good reason, as amputation errors are a common form of medical malpractice. Amputation errors are only one type of medical error that can adversely affect victims for the rest of their lives though. Because the term “medical malpractice” encompasses so many different facets of errors made in the medical field, some people may not even realize they have been a victim of medical malpractice until it’s too late to file a claim for compensation. In addition to amputation errors, the most common types of medical malpractice include:
Medication errors
Surgical errors
Failure to administer necessary tests
Birth injuries
Anesthesia errors
Emergency room negligence
Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF MEDICAL MISTAKES
Medical malpractice is such a serious problem in the United States that it results in national costs of between $18 and $30 billion for disability and health care costs, loss of income and the personal costs attributed to medical errors and medical malpractice. Unfortunately, in addition to costly medical bills and crippling loss of income, medical malpractice can also subject victims to devastating physical injuries, including paralysis, wrongful amputation, loss of vision or hearing, permanent disfigurement, scarring, infection, coma, wrongful death, or catastrophic birth injuries like cerebral palsy and brain damage.
LEGAL HELP FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INJURIES IN OKLAHOMA
Under Oklahoma law, a medical malpractice claim must be brought within two years of the date the victim knew or should have known about the alleged injury. If you believe you have been adversely affected by a medical error on the part of a doctor, Ob-Gyn or hospital, contact our qualified attorneys at AMA Law today. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical malpractice injuries, the cost of treating your injuries, any associated loss of income, and emotional pain and suffering. Our law firm is based in Oklahoma City and our lawyers are familiar with Oklahoma law and experienced in medical malpractice litigation in the state. With a skilled medical malpractice attorney on their side, victims of medical errors in Oklahoma can pursue the compensation they deserve and protect their rights against the sometimes deceptive practices of doctors and hospitals.