Last week, The New York Times published a shocking article, Report Finds Most Errors at Hospitals Go Unreported, exposing how most hospital errors are never reported to the government.
Even with medical errors rising, it was distressing to learn that most mistakes go unreported to state and federal agencies charged with oversight. The opening sentence says it all:
Hospital employees recognize and report only one out of seven errors, accidents and other events that harm Medicare patients while they are hospitalized, federal investigators say in a new report.
Sadly, we see medical errors in hospitals every day and most of them go unreported or even hidden. Having represented hundreds of patients and their families, the report doesn’t surprise me.
When hospital errors go unreported to state agencies, individual clients are left pursuing private action to seek recovery and ensure patient safety. The civil justice system is the last bulwark informing families about potential mistakes.
I strongly encourage you to share the article with a loved one. Someone close to you may have experienced medical error at any of the following facilities:
Alleghany Regional Hospital, Bath Community Hospital, Buchanan General Hospital, Carilion Bedford Memorial Hospital, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital, Carilion New River Valley Hospital, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital, Danville Regional Medical Center, Dickenson Community Hospital, Johnston Memorial Hospital, Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Martinsville Memorial Hospital, Montgomery Regional Hospital, Norton Community Hospital, Page Memorial Hospital, Pioneer Community Hospital, Pulaski Community Hospital, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Smyth County Community Hospital, Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Tazewell Community Hospital, Twin County Comunnity Hospital, Wellmont Bristol Regional Hospital, Wellmont Lee Regional Medical Center, Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Wythe County Community Hospital
If you know of a medical error at any of the above regional hospitals, contact us. We represent individuals and families in cases of medical negligence, and we are able to help hold facilities accountable.