Medical Malpractice Statistics

Debunking Atlanta Medical Malpractice Myths

There are certain perceptions of medical malpractice lawsuits in America, many of which do not line up with data that has been collected over the years. Medical malpractice is not a minor issue that has been inflated by legal action; it is an unfortunately common occurrence, and the damage done cannot always be reversed. Victims of medical malpractice in Georgia deserve justice, provided that negligence on the part of a healthcare provider can be proved. The following medical malpractice statistics may give some perspective on this issue, which has proved a serious one for many patients.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, contact our firm today and get the help of an experienced, compassionate Georgia medical malpractice attorney.

44,000 to 98,000 people die each year due to preventable medical error.
A Harvard study from 1984 revealed that 1% of a representative sample of New York hospital patients was injured during their time at the facility.
According to a Harvard study, only 1 in every 7.6 hospital injuries results in a medical malpractice claim.
Plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases are 10 times more likely to drop a claim than pursue it.
According to USA Today, doctors spend an average of only 3.2% of their revenue on malpractice insurance.
5.1% of doctors account for nearly 55% of medical malpractice payouts.
While malpractice insurance costs are going up for doctors, they are not outpacing the rising cost of healthcare in general.
In one survey, 6-10% of psychiatrists admitted to engaging in sexual contact with a patient, committing psychiatric malpractice.
Less than .5% of doctors undergo any serious disciplinary action each year. Furthermore, only 7.6% of those with two malpractice lawsuits against them, and only 13% of those with 5 or more lawsuits on their record are among this group.

At Morgan & Morgan, we have compassion for our clients and the damages they have suffered as a result of medical negligence. We are here to help the injured people of Georgia and have the experience and knowledge necessary to assemble strong medical malpractice cases and pursue them aggressively.

If you or a loved one has been injured by medical negligence, contact our Atlanta law offices for a free case evaluation. Our skilled Georgia medical malpractice lawyers are providing this initial consultation at no cost and with no obligation.

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$90,200,000: Tobacco Litigation Attorneys
Recovery in a lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Woman was widowed when her husband died from lung cancer. The total award after apportioning damages based on assignment of fault was $46.3 million.
$40,000,000: Tobacco Litigation Attorneys
In a case against R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris, attorneys Keith Mitnik, Greg Prysock, Joe Taraska and Katy Massa recovered a $40 million tobacco litigation verdict on behalf of the husband and daughter of a woman who died after smoking two packs of cigarettes a day for 36 years.
$38,750,000: Medical Malpractice - Birth Injury Attorneys
Failure to perform a timely C-section resulting in serious injury.
$19,200,000: Medical Malpractice - Medication Overdose Attorneys
Medication overdose of a 26 week premature newborn against a hospital.
$18,800,000: Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
In January 2011, Keith Mitnik obtained an $18.8 million verdict on behalf of a motorcyclist who was rendered a paraplegic when a car pulled out in front of him.
$12,200,000: Car Accident - Paralysis Attorneys
11-year-old girl involved in rear-end motor vehicle accident suffered paralysis from the waist down.
$10,000,000: Wage and Hour - Class Action Attorneys
Recovery for national class of poultry workers.
$9,990,000: Overtime - Illegal Chinese Overtime Attorneys
Award for a class of oil, gas and petroleum inspectors paid illegal "chinese overtime" rather than proper time and a half.

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Medical Malpractice Statistics

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