Federal Pilot Project for Medical Error Reporting

A pilot project is in the works at the federal level which would seek information regarding medical mistakes directly from consumers. The Obama Administration, which has suggested the project, would elicit information from patients and their family members about medical errors via a Web site and by phone. Federal health officials would ask for details concerning each incident, including what happened, when, where, whether any harm resulted and, if so, what kind of harm, any other factors which may have contributed to the incident, and whether the event was reported and to whom. Once the project is cleared by the White House, it could go into effect as early as May 2013, with questionnaires placed in hospitals, pharmacies, and doctor's offices.

According to federal officials, many medical mistakes go unreported. Information from the public regarding such errors could help identify the reasons behind them. Medical errors can range from drug mix-ups, pharmacy errors, wrong-site surgeries and other surgical mistakes, radiation overdoses, preventable birth injuries, failure to diagnose, wrong diagnoses, and other deviations from what is considered standard medical care. Medical malpractice claims can involve doctors, nurses, dentists, therapists, emergency technicians, plastic surgeons, psychiatrists, and any other type of health care provider. A claim or lawsuit can be initiated for damages connected to physical and emotional harm as a result of such errors.

Medical Malpractice Attorney Serving New York City

The attorneys at the law firm of Hecht Kleeger & Damashek feel very strongly about protecting patient rights and ensuring that recognized standards of health care are maintained. They fight zealously for the rights of the injured and have more than 75 years of combined legal experience in the field of personal injury law. The firm has helped countless clients recover the damages they need and deserve following preventable injuries. Because of their skills as proven trial lawyers, the firm's attorneys have recovered more than $150 million in settlements and verdicts in the last 12 years and have become members of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum and named Super Lawyers.

If you have been injured through negligence at the hands of a medical practitioner or in any other type of negligence-based accident or incident, contact the firm to discuss your case in a free consultation. Learn your legal rights and options with the help of a highly-qualified legal professional.