Medicine has changed dramatically. The days of the “family doctor” are long gone. Now we’re quickly referred to specialty practices for our medical needs. Our medical system is among the best in the world. Yet, “preventable medical errors” is the third leading cause of death in our country, accounting for as many as 400,000 deaths each year. Most of us have family members in the medical world who do phenomenal work and save lives. Those who commit these preventable errors are a small percentage of the whole. But when those errors happen, terrible suffering and even death can result.

When people hear of the term “medical malpractice,” they usually think of things doctors did or failed to do. It’s much broader than that. It can include anything that happens with a doctor’s office, a medical group or a hospital, done by any member of the hospital staff. This includes hospital doctors, nurses, doctor assistants, technicians and others. The hospital is responsible for the actions of its employees and for the failure to create a system of care that protects and properly cares for the needs of patients.