Hawaii residents who have been the victim of medical malpractice have options for reporting the incident. They could file a complaint with the appropriate state licensing agency, report the incident to the state licensing board or repot the incident to a Medicare Quality Improvement Organization. However, some victims of medical malpractice are reluctant to report the mistake leaving the responsible physician unaccountable for the error they made. The following are three common reasons why a patient may not speak out after their physician makes a medical mistake.
Government skepticism
Some patients may avoid reporting medical malpractice directly to the government, because they are skeptical that their claim will be recognized and resolved. The effort it takes to work through what they believe is the red tape of government action may seem too burdensome to take on alone. These people may benefit from having the representation of attorney who understands these situations and can help their client overcome their skepticism of the government.
Lack of accountability
Other patients may avoid reporting medical malpractice because the effort of doing so may seem futile. Patients do not want to simply be acknowledged. They want to hold the physician who harmed them accountable. If they believe action against the responsible physician will not be taken then they may decline to report the incident altogether.
Health barriers
Some people who are the victims of medical malpractice suffer emotional trauma, become disabled or may feel intimidated to report the incident. These health barriers may keep them from holding the responsible party accountable. These patients may benefit from standardized surveys that allow them to passively report the malpractice.
Learn more about medical malpractice
Medical malpractice claims should not go unreported, but oftentimes a victim needs legal help to get their complaint moving. This post is for informational purposes only. Our firm’s webpage on medical malpractice may be a good starting point for those who want to learn more about their rights.