Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Aren’t Frivolous

This is why telling someone they have a medical malpractice case isn’t always great news.

Recently, I had a call with parents who lost their daughter when she was in her 20s. They wanted answers. They wanted to know if a medical provider’s mistake cost their child her life.

After investigating and consulting with medical experts, I told them the news: Yes, there is a case. Yes, the medical provider was negligent. And yes, their daughter’s death was preventable.

The family wasn’t jumping for joy at the thought they have the right to sue. They weren’t happy that they may recover money. Far from it. They were sad. Because it means their daughter could have been saved. Something as simple as an antibiotic would have saved her life.

And yet, I repeatedly hear how medical malpractice cases are frivolous. That families are just looking for a payday. That people want to hit the jackpot.

That’s bullshit.

These parents would trade every dollar in the world to have their daughter back. But they don’t get that choice. What they can do is try to make sure this doesn’t happen to somebody else’s daughter.

Medical malpractice lawsuits are about accountability. They are about preventing the next tragedy. They are about standing up to a system that too often values protecting itself over protecting patients.

So the next time someone dismisses medical malpractice cases as frivolous, remember that there are families like this who would gladly give everything to have their family member back.

What are your thoughts? Join the discussion with me on LinkedIn.