For most people in Arkansas, the days of seeing their regular doctor in a small, physician-run office are long gone. Now, when we seek medical care, we are frequently sitting in the waiting room of a larger, corporate-run healthcare system.

While there are purported benefits to the consolidation of the medical and healthcare system in the United States, the transition to a system largely run with profits in mind has not been without its downsides.

X-rays are one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools in the medical field. They allow doctors to see inside the body without having to perform surgery. However, doctors can misread X-rays much like any other diagnostic test or tool. In fact, despite the tremendous advancements in radiological science, data suggests that radiologists still misread X-rays 3-5% of the time.

The latest data shows that as many as 6,800 prescription medications are available for doctors to prescribe in the United States. This number doesn’t account for all the over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and herbal treatments on the market.

Getting the help you need after suffering an instance of medical malpractice is essential to your future and overall well-being. Knowing what steps to take is not always easy, though, especially if you are still dealing with the aftermath of a doctor’s error.

One of the biggest aspects of a successful medical malpractice claim is establishing a doctor-patient relationship existed between the doctor and the patient that they injured. While it might seem obvious that if the injury occurred, then a doctor-patient relationship existed, that’s not always the case. A medical malpractice lawyer will need to establish that this relationship existed within the parameters of the requirements of the law.

Going to the doctor is already a nerve-wracking experience. You’re feeling sick, in pain, and at your most vulnerable. You seek medical help to make you feel better, and you expect only the best care so that doctors can get to the bottom of what’s ailing you and start treatment. However, when a medical mistake occurs, the opposite could happen. The effects could even be fatal.

Medical mistakes can be grounds for filing a med mal claim. In Arkansas, when you’ve experienced medical malpractice from your doctor or another medical professional, you could use the help of McMath Woods P.A. Our med mal lawyers are prepared to fight for your rights against a negligent doctor.

A growing body of scientific research suggests cognitive biases are impeding physicians’ abilities to treat patients properly. A range of systematic errors in human decision-making is being linked back to the cognitive biases.

According to an article in The New York Times, bias affects how doctors make treatment decisions. This can affect whether patients live or die. While awareness of biases has prompted efforts to reduce them in clinical decision-making, they still have the ability to result in negligence.

On Nov. 7 of this year, The Leapfrog Group published a health care safety report that graded Arkansas’s hospitals on their ability to safely care for patients. While the number of hospitals with “A” grades has doubled since the report published earlier this year in May, that only brought the number to a mere four hospitals in the state.

Not all hospitals give the same quality of care. Patients need reliable hospitals with skilled doctors, nurses, and a system that prioritizes the health and safety of everyone who enters the building. Unfortunately, those in Arkansas may not be getting the best care from their hospitals.

When it comes to hospital safety, Arkansas ranks 45^th in the country. Only two Arkansas hospitals were given the A rating—Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden and Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. The Leapfrog Group, a non-profit that focuses on health care, released this report. There were hospitals that earned D grades: Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Baptist Health Hospital in Fort Smith and Little Rock, CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, and Northwest Medical Center-Springdale. Arkansas also has an F-ranking hospital: National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs.

Whenever a medical professional acts negligently, they can harm their patient. Medical errors can have severe consequences. In order to get compensation for the injuries and damages you’ve suffered, you may be able to get help from a medical malpractice lawyer. At McMath Woods P.A., we understand that what you’re going through is overwhelming, but we’re here to make sure you get the justice you deserve.

Medical negligence cases take time and a lot of care. There are often many angles at play, including those held by insurance companies, hospitals, and independent contractor physicians. Our attorneys won’t be intimidated by insurance companies or large hospitals. When medical professionals make mistakes and bring harm to innocent people, they need to be held accountable for their actions. With us at your side, we’ll make sure your voice is heard.