When we sit back and think of why it is that we appreciate the men and women who volunteer to serve in our military, many of us probably have different ideas regarding what makes them so brave or why they should all be considered heroes. What we all agree upon is that military veterans deserve the best benefits that we have to offer, and this is especially true when it comes to medical care given the harm that many soldiers endure in service to our country. In fact, many taxpayers would basically demand the best medical care possible.
Unfortunately, that may not be what’s happening with those who have served in the military, as reports are emerging that detail just how much the medical malpractice payouts that have been made to veterans have jumped in recent years. One such report was recently published by Bloomberg, and a link to that report can be found here. There were several surprising facts that were included in the article, and it paints a picture of military veterans who are encountering a relatively high degree of risk by obtaining medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Some of the facts included in the article included:
- The Department of Veterans Affairs, or the VA, has 152 hospitals and approximately 19,000 doctors.
- 5.6 million veterans received medical care in 2012, a jump by a factor of 32 percent when compared to 2002.
- $91.7 million worth of medical malpractice payouts were made in 2012.
- $72 million worth of medical malpractice payouts were made in 2011.
- The year-to-year jump between 2011 and 2012 equals a rise by a factor of 28 percent.
- 1.2 million people will become veterans during the next four years.
- The average age of veterans has dropped significantly in recent years.
All of these factors add up to more costs and to more payouts in the forthcoming years, but the real problem here appears to be that so many people are being harmed because of medical malpractice. For most people who support our veterans, this trend would be considered unacceptable, and that’s not even necessarily because the taxpayers ultimately foot the bills for these payouts.
What this article and this information should tell people is that medical malpractice can occur anywhere, at any time and in any specific medical situation. It should also tell people that anyone who suffers because of medical negligence needs to take steps to stand up for their legal rights. Failing to do so could lead to additional people being hurt or worse if mistakes are allowed to continue without remedies being applied to these situations.
If you or someone you love has been injured because of the negligence of medical professionals who were supposed to provide you with a proper level of care, take action. Contact the New York medical malpractice lawyers at The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation so that you can make an informed decision regarding how you should proceed.