What Are the Top Injury-Causing Hospital Errors in the Nation?

July 4, 2019

Suffering a personal injury is always challenging, but when the damage was completely preventable, it adds to the feeling of victimization. Medical errors, in particular, can increase the suffering of patients by bringing a sense of betrayal to an already troubling situation.

It is common to hear horror stories about health professionals making truly egregious mistakes like operating on the wrong body part. However, it turns out that such errors are quite rare. The most common hospital mistakes, which you will find listed below, sound relatively benign, but they can still lead to significant personal injury in many cases.

Falls

When you enter a hospital, its staff becomes responsible for your well-being. This includes keeping you safe from additional illness or injury. According to a study, approximately 1 million residents fall each year while hospitalized.

Medication errors

An article published on WebMD indicates that around 1,000 preventable drug mistakes occur each day in American hospitals. The risk of suffering a personal injury due to a medication error is significant. A common medication error involves giving patients the wrong dose, which could lead to a life-threatening situation.

Improper discharge

Patients who leave the hospital without proper preparation may soon return to the facility with worsened or additional injuries. Making sure that patients understand discharge instructions is part of the duty all medical professionals share.

Unfortunately, far too many Pennsylvania residents suffer injuries caused by hospital errors. Whether these injuries are severe or minor, victims have the right to seek compensation for any preventable harm they have suffered. Consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney is a good way to learn about the legal options available to victims.

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