Medical Malpractice

If you believe you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed as the result of the negligence of a doctor, health professional or health facility, you need to know your legal options. Call the Sacramento, California medical malpractice lawyers at the Arnold Law Firm today at 916-924-3100.

The Institute of Medicine has reported that close to 100,000 people die every year in the United States because of medical errors. When these errors are the result of a doctor, nurse or other health professional failing to follow established standards, medical malpractice may have occurred.

Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to monetary damages. Compensatory damages compensate a victim for bills, lost income or other costs resulting from their medical malpractice injury.

Health professionals are required to carry insurance for medical malpractice. But if you have been injured, getting the money you deserve from a health professional or medical malpractice insurance company can be very difficult. The medical malpractice attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm can help you get the compensation you deserve.

In 2008, California was home to 125,612 licensed doctors. More than 4,100 of those doctors live in Sacramento County. The State Medical Board is responsible for ensuring that doctors and health professionals follow rules and regulations designed to keep patients safe. Unfortunately, the Medical Board has not always proved successful in this responsibility.

One of the most egregious errors doctors can make is to practice medicine under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But until June 30, 2008, the Medical Board allowed most doctors with substance abuse problems in the state of California to enter secret “diversion” programs, keeping their threat to patients hidden. Worse, the State Audits Bureau found that these programs failed to effectively monitor drug- or alcohol-addicted physicians within the programs. But a health professional does not need to be intoxicated for medical malpractice to occur. Any deviation from accepted standards of care or “best practices” that result in injury or death may constitute medical malpractice.

Other problems in regulations have contributed to an unsafe environment for California medical patients. In 2008, the state medical board spent 41.7 percent of its annual budget, about $21.6 million to ensure that doctors followed rules designed to keep patients safe. While it is admirable the board understands the importance of these rules and procedures, it is unfortunate health professionals are not better able to police themselves. Worse, the medical board has acknowledged a problem with turnover among its investigators – meaning they often must rely on new employees with little time in the job to police the work of doctors.

It may come as no surprise that problems persist despite enforcement efforts by the medical board. More than 585 California medical malpractice claims were settled in 2008 alone, according to the medical board. In this same time period, the medical board affirmed 310 instances of physician misconduct, such as fraud, criminal conviction, sexual misconduct, and over 150 instances of negligence.

After a medical malpractice injury or death occurs, a victim has a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. In California, these time limits depend on the age of the patient and the type and circumstance of malpractice. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by medical malpractice, there may still be time to receive the compensation your deserve. But time may also be running out. Get the help you deserve. Call the Sacramento, California medical malpractice attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm today at 916-924-3100.