Avoidable Medical Errors Such as Pressure Ulcers and Postoperative Infections Cost U.S. Economy $19.5 Billion in 2008

A study released earlier this year by the the Society of Actuaries (SOA) estimated that measurable medical errors cost the U.S. economy $19.5 billion in 2008. According to the SOA, the report used claims data to provide an actuarially sound measurement of costs for avoidable medical injuries.

The report also indicates that 87 percent of actuaries believe that reducing medical errors is an effective way to control healthcare cost trends for the commercial population, and 88 percent believe this to be true for the Medicare population.

According to the study, approximately 55 percent of the total error costs were the result of these five common medical errors:

Pressure ulcers
Postoperative infections
Mechanical complications of devices, implants, or grafts
Postlaminectomy syndrome
Hemorrhages complicating a procedure

Click here to read the full press release from SOA and access a link to the full report.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to medical error, please contact the Oregon medical malpractice lawyers at the D’Amore Law Group for a free consultation.

About the <span>Author</span>

About the Author

Tom D'Amore is the founder of D'Amore Law Group and a trial attorney with over 30 years of experience representing injured people and their families across the West Coast, securing more than $325 million in recoveries. He handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, construction injuries, medical malpractice, and sexual abuse. Licensed in Oregon, Washington, and California, Tom is the only NBTA board-certified truck accident attorney in Oregon. He is a national Board of Governors member, past Executive Committee member, and past Budget and Audit Chair of the American Association for Justice, as well as past President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice.

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