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Sunday, April 29, 2012

National Medical Malpractice Statistics

Unfortunately, medical malpractice events are fairly widespread in the US. As politicians debate the causes and economic implications of medical malpractice, hundreds of thousands of families each year are forever changed by these horrific, life-altering injuries. Medical malpractice is a major cause of otherwise preventable injuries. The following national statistics come from a 2011 report from the American Association for Justice, Medical Negligence: the Role of America's Civil Justice System in Protecting Patients' Rights:

 • 44,000 to 98,000 Americans die every year because of preventable medical errors (Institute of Medicine).
• Hundreds of thousands of people are seriously injured every year because of medical malpractice.
• Nearly 18 percent of patients in hospitals are injured at some point in their hospital stay (Harvard School of Medicine). These injuries sometimes result in wrongful death.
• About 40 wrong site, wrong side and wrong patient surgeries happen every week in the US (Joint Commission Center on Transforming Healthcare).
• Few medical malpractice victims actually file a lawsuit. Just one in eight medical errors in hospitals result in a medical malpractice claim (Harvard Medical Practice Study Group).
 • One in three Americans said themselves or a family member has been injured by medical malpractice. 

Preventable medical errors are not uncommon, and you have a right to file a claim if you think negligence by a medical professional caused you or a loved one's injury.

 If you have been injured because of medical malpractice, please contact The Cochran Firm for a free case evaluation. We have law offices across the nation, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Birmingham, Alabama.

posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 2:02 PM

Friday, April 27, 2012

What to Do if You are in a Car/Motorcycle Accident

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, there are certain steps you should take regardless of which vehicle you were operating. After an auto accident, you should:

 • Get the other motorist’s information, including name, address, contact information and insurance information.
 • Gather the names and contact information of any witnesses.
• Call police and ask them to file an accident report.
 • Cooperate with police but do not admit or imply the auto accident was your fault.
• Do not discuss fault with the other driver. In fact, your communication with the other driver should be minimal.
 • If possible, take photos of the accident scene, car or motorcycle damage, and your injuries.
• Seek medical attention, even if it seems as though you are alright.

 After the accident, do not communicate with the other driver’s insurance company. The company is likely to offer you an unfair settlement or coerce you into admitting fault. Do not repair any vehicle damage until it is properly documented.

The most important thing you can do after a motorcycle accident is contact our attorneys. At The Cochran Firm, we have extensive experience representing car and motorcycle accident victims. If a negligent driver caused your injury, you deserve to pursue compensation for resulting medical bills, lost wages and associated costs.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact The Cochran Firm for a free case evaluation. We have law offices nationwide, including Chicago, Atlanta, New York City, Los Angeles and Miami.

posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 2:00 PM

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The Cochran Firm handles Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense claims for clients throughout the United States of America. The information on this website does not constitute legal advice nor form an attorney-client relationship.Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free consultation.

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