A recent study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethicshighlighted the concerning statistics regarding medical malpractice in India. Medical malpractice is characterized by negligence on the part of healthcare providers and encompasses a range of actions that deviate from the accepted standard of care and harm patients. 

Alarmingly, only 46% of healthcare providers adhere to ethical guidelines, reflecting a significant gap in ethical compliance within the healthcare sector. Moreover, the annual incidence of medical malpractice cases has surged to a staggering 5.2 million, marking a dramatic increase of 110%. Correspondingly, litigation related to medical malpractice has skyrocketed by 400%.

The repercussions of medical malpractice are dire, with a substantial portion of medical error deaths attributed to surgical mistakes, accounting for 80% of cases. Additionally, mismanagement in emergencieshas led to 70% of fatalities, highlighting critical deficiencies in patient care.

Geographically, certain regions bear a disproportionate burden of medical malpractice, with Punjab reporting the highest malpractice rates at 24%, followed by West Bengal (17%), Maharashtra (16%), and Tamil Nadu (11%).

In response to these trends, Mr. Utsav Trivedi, Managing Partner at TAS Law, underscores the importance of seeking legal remedies for medical malpractice victims. He outlines a comprehensive process for filing a medico-legal claim, which includes seeking legal advice, gathering evidence, consulting medical experts, filing a complaint, and navigating the appeals process in cases of incapacity or death.

(Source:https://www.business-standard.com/finance/personal-finance/over-5-2-mn-medical-malpractice-cases-filed-in-india-annually-shows-data-124042900073_1.html )