– The author explains that the recent rise in medical malpractice lawsuits is due to a combination of changes in law and technology as well as an increase in patient expectations.
– The article discusses the legal changes that have made it easier to sue for medical malpractice, including laws that allow for no-fault settlements and the proliferation of expert witnesses.
– It also examines how technological advances like electronic health records have made it easier to assess liability and how increased patient expectations are prompting more lawsuits.
Changes in Law
Recent years have seen a dramatic rise in medical malpractice lawsuits due to a combination of legal changes, technological advances, and increased patient expectations. Legal reforms such as no fault settlements, which allow patients to receive compensation without having to prove negligence on behalf of their doctor or hospital, have made it easier for individuals to bring claims against healthcare providers. Additionally, doctors can now be held liable even if they were not directly responsible for causing harm due to the proliferation of expert witnesses who can provide testimony about best practices and standards of care.
Advanced Technology
The development of electronic health records (EHRs) technology has made it much easier for lawyers and courts to assess liability in medical malpractice cases. With EHRs providing easy access to detailed information about each patient’s treatment history as well as physician notes, claims of negligence can be easily verified or refuted. This advancement has led to an increase in successful malpractice suits since many issues are now documented accurately within an EHR system.
Higher Patient Expectations
Patients‘ expectations regarding healthcare services have grown exponentially over the past few years due to the availability of information on diseases, treatments options available, etc., through online sources. As a result, when those expectations are not met by the actual care received from a doctor or hospital, many people feel justified in pursuing legal action against them through medical malpractice lawsuits.
Impact on Healthcare Providers
The surge in medical malpractice litigation has had serious repercussions for healthcare providers who must now take extra precautions when treating patients out of fear that they could be sued at any time. Doctors must also carry higher insurance premiums which ultimately affects their bottom line and raises costs for patients overall.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these various factors – including legal changes, advanced technology, and increased patient expectations – have contributed significantly towards the rise in medical malpractice litigation over recent years with serious repercussions for healthcare providers across all industries