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What Is Medical Malpractice?
Although the United States spends more on health care than any other country in the world, the American medical industry consistently ranks last in overall performance, affordability, and patient safety. In fact, it’s estimated that 440,000 people are killed by medical errors every year, making it the third leading cause of death in the world, after heart disease and cancer. In other words, medical malpractice is responsible for 1,200 fatalities a day.
But what constitutes medical malpractice? In Hawaii, an injured party can file a medical malpractice claim for the following acts of negligence and more:
- Performing surgery on the wrong patient or body part
- Anesthesia injuries
- Leaving surgical tools inside a patient
- Pharmaceutical errors
- Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose
- Using contaminated surgical instruments
- Misusing equipment or surgical tools
- Failure to treat a condition
- Transfusion of incompatible organs
A plaintiff in Hawaii can pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit if they were directly harmed by a medical professional’s negligent actions, inactions, or omissions. Likewise, the family of a deceased patient can also pursue justice and compensation if a health care professional caused or contributed to their loved one’s passing.
The NMMAA Establishes Medical Malpractice Awareness Month
Six years ago, a group of medical malpractice survivors and the family members of deceased patients gathered together to create the National Medical Malpractice Advocacy Association (NMMAA), the first non-partisan civil rights organization to focus on medical malpractice in the United States. Since then, the NMMAA has worked with local, state, and national lawmakers to establish the month of July as Medical Malpractice Awareness Month. For July 2019, the NMMAA is spearheading an awareness campaign entitled, “End the Silence.” Their hope is that “through unity and education and the bringing together of likeminded individuals, the NMMAA as an organization will ‘END THE SILENCE’ by providing Hope and promoting Healing and by allowing Honor to the memories of all those injured or lost due to medical negligence.”
Interested in observing Medical Malpractice Awareness Month? You can lend your support in the following ways:
- Increase awareness about Medical Malpractice Awareness Month.
- Share personal stories and/or information relating to medical malpractice online.
- Organize or participate in community events.
- Post news reports, resources, and studies on your social media accounts.
- Make a donation to NMMAA.
Explore Your Legal Options with an Experienced Legal Professional
Davis Levin Livingston is one of the leading medical malpractice firms in Hawaii and the United States. Our compassionate legal team has been representing the interests of medical malpractice survivors for over 40 years. For this reason and more, we are firm supporters of both the NMMAA and Medical Malpractice Awareness Month.
Contact our firm if you or a loved one has been harmed by the actions of a negligent medical professional. Our experienced lawyers can investigate your case, collect crucial evidence, and represent your interests both in and out of court. With our assistance, you can hold the negligent parties responsible for their actions and secure life-saving compensatory damages.
Contact Davis Levin Livingston at (808) 740-0633 to schedule a case evaluation today.