Medical malpractice is an unfortunate reality for Eugene patients. Not matter how competent and experienced a doctor, mistakes do happen. While many of these mistakes go unnoticed, physician and hospital negligence can result in serious or fatal consequences for unsuspecting patients.
Oregon patients may be surprised to know that every physician in the country will likely be faced with a malpractice claim at some point in their medical career. Available data shows that on average, a doctor will have a medical malpractice claim filed against him or her every seven years.
The findings of a new study show that some specialists will have open malpractice claims throughout nearly a third of their career. Resolution of the claims can take up a significant amount of time, resulting in excess stress on injured patients. According to the study, the average physician spends more than four years of a 40-year career dealing with malpractice claims. It may take two to three years to settle a claim, or four years to litigate a claim at trial.
The study’s findings show that not only are medical malpractice lawsuits more commonplace than most people realize, but that resolution of these claims can be timely and complex. Oregon patients that have been injured at the hands of a negligent doctor can protect their legal rights by enlisting the help of an experienced medical malpractice attorney. This can expedite the resolution of a claim, and secure the right to compensation for injuries sustained as the result of medical malpractice.
Source: Forbes, “Medical malpractice: broken beyond repair?,” Robert Glatter, Feb. 6, 2013