Being anxious before a medical procedure is completely normal. After all, you’re giving up control of your safety and well-being to individuals you barely know. This demonstrates our society’s trust in science, but the grim reality is that when it comes to the medical field, humans are in control. And humans are prone to error, even in the operating room.
Tragically, a large number of people are subjected to surgical errors each year. About half of these so-called adverse events were caused by human error. Half of those errors are attributable to cognitive deficiencies, such as being inattentive, failing to recognize important information, and possessing cognitive biases. Errors stemming from poor teamwork and communication occur, too, but with lower frequency.
Although the results of this study might spur medical professionals to change the way they are trained on and approach medical procedures, the truth is that such actions do nothing to help those who have already been harmed by surgical errors. These victims often have to confront a harsh reality that involves physical pain and suffering, physical limitations, emotional turmoil, and extensive financial losses in the form of medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages.
Such damages can leave an individual angry and overwhelmed. They may also be fearful of what the future has in store for them. But victims of medical malpractice shouldn’t let their anger and fear get the best of them. Instead, they can fight for accountability and the compensation they deserve. This requires strong knowledge of the law, an understanding of legal arguments, and persuasiveness, though. Fortunately, experienced legal professionals in this area stand ready to stand up and fight for these victims.