According to Canadian Dimension Magazine, some 40,000 deaths are caused annually due to errors in the Canadian health care delivery system, in other words, due to medical malpractice. The author of the subject article, William Charney, estimates that the actual statistics of medical malpractice in the country are probably much higher because of a lack of reporting of such instances. However, he also notes that litigation for medical malpractice in Canada doesn’t even come close to helping those injured by doctor and hospital errors.
An extremely costly type of litigation, medical malpractice is oftentimes sidetracked or not pursued at all due to the efforts of the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). Established to offer insurance benefits to Canadian doctors, CMPA fights hard to defend its policy holders. With resources to insure that a doctor or hospital has ample funds to battle a medical malpractice lawsuit, the CMPA is responsible for many medical malpractice claims not going to court.
Benefits of Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
The filing of a medical malpractice lawsuit when merited isn’t just a financial compensation for the plaintiff, but it is also a way to improve medical procedures and practices, and hopefully, lower that 40,000-death statistic. However, with so few medical malpractice lawsuits being litigated, Canada’s health care delivery system doesn’t get changed, doctors aren’t held accountable, and injured patients don’t get compensated for their injuries.
The costliness of a medical malpractice lawsuit along with the many overturned cases on appeal are definitely factors in the failure of Canada’s health delivery system to reform. And, coupled with the six to ten years it takes to actually resolve a medical malpractice suit, victims are the ones who suffer in this war between CMPA and medical malpractice lawyers. But, if you have been the victim of a medical malpractice, you shouldn’t hesitate to call the doctor or health facility to task. Instead of ignoring your claim, contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer and contribute to the solution.
Contact a Qualified Canadian Personal Injury Lawyer to Represent you in Your Medical Malpractice
Lawsuit
As more and more medical malpractice victims come forward and file suits, people will have to take notice. If you think you have been injured due to an error or the negligence of a Canadian healthcare provider or facility, contact a qualified personal injury lawyer who has experience in medical malpractice cases. To locate candidate lawyers for your suit, go online, ask friends for recommendations, and check references. Don’t trust your medical malpractice lawsuit to the first lawyer you interview. Take your time, consider the track-record of any lawyer you interview, and choose someone you are confident you can work with.
