Fighting Cases of Preventable Medical Errors Is an International Problem

Preventable medical errors seriously injure and kill thousands of victims each year in the United States. Medical errors leading to patient deaths have reached an all time high of 400,000 deaths a year. Unfortunately medical mistakes and errors are not isolated to the U.S. alone – it happens all over the world, including Korea.

Most types of medical negligence, including both misdiagnosis and error, are a preventable harm that could spare patients and their loved ones unnecessary pain and suffering, regardless of what part of the world they reside.

The Rise of the Korean Healthcare Industry

Korea has worked hard to promote its medical tourism industry. After joining the bandwagon of industrialization by employing hungry laborers to make cheap items to send to prosperous consumers overseas, Korea is now most famous for its cosmetic surgery services offered at a fairly decent price. The country boasts high-quality healthcare services ranging from LASIK eye treatments to cancer operations.

The Korean health industry earned 556.9 billion won ($479.5 million) in 2014 from foreigners flying into the country for medical treatment. This was 10 times higher than the numbers in 2009.

With Fame and Fortune Comes Legal Problems

However, along with the benefits of this newfound medical tourism in the country, also comes the possibility and reality of medical mistakes, which most often leads to medical malpractice lawsuits. Unlike New York and the rest of the U.S., patients who are the victims of medical negligence have a more difficult time obtaining the justice that they deserve.

Until recently, the option of mediation, arbitration and litigation was not a reality for injured victims of medical mistakes at the hands of Korean physicians. Case in point is the story of Sara Shechner, an aspiring recording artist and actress from New Jersey, who had a botched auxiliary brachioplasty (an “arm lift”) and almost died from a resulting staph infection.

After years of attempting to seek justice, Shechner finally made headway in her lawsuit against the surgeon when a Korean rock icon died from complications in a botched surgery performed by the same surgeon. The court ultimately ordered the doctor to pay Shechner 109.9 million won.

Legal Protection For Medical Malpractice

Regardless of the country, when a physician provides substandard care that results in injuries or death, the patient deserves justice. Patients who are injured in the United States are afforded more legal rights to seek the justice and monetary compensation that they deserve. In order to obtain the compensation that you deserve, it is best to immediately consult with an attorney who specifically handles medical negligence.

At Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., our attorneys understand the ramifications of medical negligence on the patient and their family members. We are aggressive in getting our clients the full extent of monetary compensation they are entitled to for the injuries they have suffered.

Call Us

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligent actions of a healthcare professional and would like to consult with an experienced New York medical malpractice attorney, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.