HOSPITAL MISTAKES/ERRORS

Hospitals must tell patients and their families when they have been hurt by a medical error. As many as 98,000 people die each year from medical errors. The medical community is trying to make health care safer, but the effort has been hampered partly because of the way that errors are handled.

When a mistake is made today, there is no legal requirement that a patient be told. The result is that those close to the error know of the mistake, but the event is kept secret. Left hidden, common medical mistakes are rarely identified quickly and studied for ways to make the health care system safer. In short, errors are not reported because caregivers are fearful they will be punished. To create a culture of safety, caregivers must feel safe that they are not going to be punished and that the system is designed to protect them when they do make a human error.

If you, or a loved one, believe you may have been injured by your healthcare system, contact us today. We specialize in medical malpractice suits and can quickly determine if you should pursue your case.

HOME

CHAIN, YOUNGER, COHN & STILES
1430 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301-5220
Tel: 661-323-4000