40,000

Estimated number of medical errors that occur each day in the United States.
Source: HealthGrades Sixth Annual Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study/April 2009

200,000

Estimated number of patients who will die this year from medical mistakes and hospital infection. [CBS News Report]
Source: Hearst Corporation National Investigation 2009

2.3

Billions of dollars of excess costs paid each year for injuries due to medical errors.
Source: HealthGrades Sixth Annual Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study/April 2009

3

Medical error is the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States
Source: Extrapolated from Hearst Corporation National Investigation 2009; National Vital Statistics Reports, Deaths: Final Data for 2006, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

6.6

Percent of doctors who are responsible for 49.9% of all malpractice payments.
Source: NYPIRG, Contraindication: Federal Government Data Demonstrates that New York’s Medical Malpractice Insurance Hikes Are Contrary to Payment Trends, June 2009

96%

Percent of patients injured by medical malpractice who do not file lawsuits.
Source: Catherine Arnst, The Truth About Malpractice Lawsuits, Business Week, September 16, 2009

3

Out of 231 hospitals in New York were distinguished for patient safety in 2008.
Source: HealthGrades Sixth Annual Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study/April 2009; New York State Department of Health

9

Number of the ten highest paying jobs in America that are Medical Doctors.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2008

3%

On average the amount of a doctor’s gross income that goes to pay for medical malpractice insurance.
Source: USA Today, 3/5/2003

11

Out of 11 NYC Health and Hospital’s Corporation’s hospitals covered-up and/or underreported serious medical errors.
Source: Tina Moore, Benjamin Lesser and Greg B. Smith, Daily News Investigates Faked Records and Fatal Blunders at City-Run Hospitals, New York Daily News, July 28, 2009

33

Percent of doctors who made 10 or more malpractice payments who received disciplinary action by their state medical board
Source: Public Citizen, The Great Malpractice Hoax: NPDB Data Continue to Show Medical Liability System Produces Rational Outcomes, January 2007