CHICAGO, IL – Medical malpractice is a huge problem in the United States. Every July is recognized by The National Medical Malpractice Advocacy Association (NMMAA) organizes and promotes National Medical Malpractice Awareness Month. The goal is the raise awareness around medical malpractice and to help end negligent acts of harm caused by medical negligence.
More than 250,000 lose their lives each year because of medical errors – nearly 10 percent of all annual deaths in the United States. More people die per year from medical errors than deaths cause by accidents, strokes, or Alzheimer’s according to John Hopkins School of Medicine.
The NMMAA believes the month of July provides support to the victims and their families who have lost loves ones due to medical negligence, as well as creating a great opportunity to educate the public on the seriousness of medical negligence and advocating for those who don’t have voice.
NMMAA: Advocating for Patients
The NMMAA is a non-partisan organization who’s goal is to promote changes that address the underlying causes of medical malpractice and is dedicated to ensuring those with less power are heard. The NMMAA is also committed to resolving the issue around unreported claims of medical negligence.
The NMMAA plans to address these problems through several initiatives and projects, including:
- The Medical Malpractice Right to Justice Project which aims to seek justice for those who have been stripped of their 7th amendment right to court after medical negligence, by bringing up old cases and showing inconsistencies in medical records and testimonies.
- Partnership with the Greater National Advocates: After being a victim of a serious medical error, it’s important for victims to work with medical professionals they trust. The NMMAA partners with Greater National Advocates and offers online access to their network of practitioners.
- Screening services: NMMAA works with lawyers and physicians around the country, and provides screening services and educational resources to those who are a victim of medical malpractice.
The Standard of Care
The medical “standard of care” is defined as the level and type of care that any reasonably competent and skilled health care professional, with a similar background and in the same medical community, would have provided under the circumstances that led to the alleged malpractice.
How to Identify Medical Errors
When a healthcare provider violates the “standard of care,” they become liable for serious injuries which may include:
- Medication and anesthesia errors
- Failure to diagnose and misdiagnosis
- Surgical malpractice (i.e. contaminated tools, wrong-site surgeries)
- Laboratory and medical test failures
- Abuse and neglect of patients
- Premature discharge
- Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs)
- Preventable birth injuries
- Emergency room errors
If you suspect that medical malpractice may have played a role in your injuries, our legal team at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd is available and ready to hear your story to help determine if you have a medical malpractice claim. For more information on how we can help you with your claim, call our office now for a free consultation at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for more information.
