Though the types and degrees of medical malpractice can be as varied as the procedures and treatments that modern medicine has to offer, there are certain areas which experience has found to be particularly vulnerable to human error. Problems resulting from defective medical products and devices, misdiagnosis, improper use of anesthesia, and surgical errors can endanger your physical well-being and subject you to short-term discomfort and long-term complications. Between these and other problems, there are an average of between 15,000 and 19,000 medical malpractice suits every year.
Who is Affected by Medical Malpractice?
Certain demographics are particularly at risk for medical malpractice. The average age of a malpractice plaintiff is 38 years old. Females comprise a majority of those affected by medical malpractice at 60%. Newborns made up roughly 20% of those affected and senior citizens approximately 12%.
Most Common Types of Malpractice
Among the various prevalent types of malpractice, errors in administering medication are the cause of many suits. Prescribing wrong or conflicting medications can potentially result in a variety of dangerous and sometimes lasting side effects. Estimates by the Institute of Medicine hold errors in prescribed medication as resulting in harm to more than 1.5 million people every year, with the Journal of the American Medical Association claiming 106,000 deaths per year from the negative effects of medication.
Unnecessary or improperly performed procedures also lead to a large number of malpractice suits, with some statistics showing roughly 12,000 deaths per year resulting from unnecessary surgeries. Errors performed in surgery account for approximately 34% of all malpractice cases, exceeded only by errors in diagnosis, which comprise 46%.
What Are My Chances of Succeeding in a Malpractice Suit?
Despite these formidable statistics, it is important to remember that only 2% of instances of medical malpractice are reported and pursued by a plaintiff. In the vast majority of cases, the injured do not seek compensation for the harm that they have suffered by the errors of a medical professional. However, considering that 93% of all malpractice cases are resolved before trial and 61% of all out-of-court settlements favor the plaintiff, it soon becomes clear that many potential malpractice patients are failing to attain the compensation that could be theirs.

How Dover Law Firm Can Help You
If you or a loved one are injured by medical malpractice, acquiring proper representation is the most important part of pursuing appropriate compensation. Your interests will be best represented by a firm that not only understands the law, but medical terminology, conditions, and procedures as well. You must assume that the other party in your case will acquire skilled representation and that you must do the same to ensure your well-being.   That skill and dedication is what distinguishes Dover Law Firm from other Atlanta law firms. To provide for your representation, call Dover Law Firm today so that we can begin the process of securing your interests and getting you back on the road to recovery.