Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
When we think about the most common causes of death in the U.S., we usually picture heart disease or cancer. But research over the past two decades has revealed something deeply troubling: medical errors may be the third leading cause of death nationwide. That’s a hard truth for many families to face—especially those who trusted a hospital or provider with their care.
At Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, we help victims of medical malpractice understand their rights and take legal action when negligence leads to harm.
In 1999, the Institute of Medicine released a report titled To Err Is Human, which estimated that up to 98,000 people died each year in hospitals because of preventable mistakes. The findings shocked many, but that was only the beginning of what later research uncovered.
In 2016, a study published in the BMJ placed the number much higher—as many as 250,000 to 440,000 deaths each year. That figure would make medical errors the third most common cause of death in the country, just behind heart disease and cancer.
Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the U.S.—accounts for an estimated 250,000 to 440,000 deaths annually, according to a study published in the BMJ.
These errors include surgical mistakes, diagnostic failures, medication mix-ups, and hospital-acquired infections. In Oklahoma and across the country, these issues continue to impact patients daily.
Medical errors aren’t just numbers. They impact real lives. Consider a patient undergoing surgery on the wrong part of the body or someone left with a surgical tool inside them. Others are discharged too soon, only to suffer complications at home. Still, others pick up life-threatening infections during hospital stays that could have been prevented with basic sanitation.
To Err Is Human sparked a national conversation around healthcare safety, revealing that systems failures—not individual negligence—often lead to preventable deaths.
The human cost of these errors includes pain, financial stress, and, in many cases, permanent disability or death. Families are left to deal with the aftermath, wondering what went wrong and if it could have been avoided.
In Oklahoma, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to adhere to the accepted standard of care and causes harm to a patient. Not every bad outcome is malpractice—but when doctors or hospitals make preventable mistakes, patients may have legal options.
Types of malpractice include:
In Oklahoma, most medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years from the date the injury is discovered, but some exceptions apply.
The state likewise adopts the comparative negligence rule. This implies that your reimbursement may be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault. That’s why it’s essential to have a legal team that understands how to build a strong case based on the facts.
To win a medical malpractice case, you need more than just a bad experience. You must prove:
This usually involves reviewing your medical records and working with expert witnesses who can explain where things went wrong. These cases can be complex and often require a deep understanding of both medicine and law.
Type of Error | Estimated Incidents | Possible Outcome |
| Surgery on wrong body part | 2,400+ | Physical harm, need for corrective surgery |
| Surgical tools left inside patient | 4,800+ | Infection, internal damage, further surgery |
| Wrong patient surgery | 27+ | Unnecessary treatment or harm |
| Hospital-acquired infections | 1.7 million | Sepsis, prolonged hospitalization, death |
| Misdiagnosis | Data varies | Delayed treatment, worsened condition |
If you think a medical error may have harmed you or a loved one, don’t wait. Here’s what you can do:
The sooner you act, the better your chance of uncovering what went wrong. You may not get immediate answers from the hospital, but a legal review can help clarify whether you have a case.
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or hospital fails to meet the accepted standard of care, causing harm to the patient. This can include surgical errors, missed diagnoses, or medication administration errors.
In most cases, Oklahoma law allows you two years from the date you discovered—or reasonably should have discovered—the injury. There are exceptions for minors and hidden injuries.
Yes. You must show that the healthcare provider’s actions fell below the standard of care and directly caused your injury. Expert testimony is often required.
You may be able to sue if the Infection was preventable and occurred due to poor sanitation, improper procedures, or negligent post-operative care.
Medical expenditures, lost pay, future care needs, pain and suffering, and, in rare cases, wrongful death compensation are all possible damages.
Get your medical records, write down everything you remember, and speak with a medical malpractice attorney to assess your case.
Medical misconduct is a serious issue that impacts thousands of families each year. While not every mistake leads to a lawsuit, many do result in preventable harm that deserves accountability. Knowing your rights and taking the proper steps early can make all the difference.
If you believe you’ve been affected by medical negligence, it’s worth having your case reviewed. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers helps patients and families throughout Tulsa seek justice when the healthcare system fails them. There’s no cost to speak with an attorney—and no fee unless your case is successful.
Please make an appointment for a free consultation with GRAVES MACLAIN INJURY LAWYERS right now to find out how they can support your future.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
