Cities are responsible for many things, and large cities can face enormous liability when it comes to personal injury lawsuits and medical malpractice lawsuits.  Since New York is the biggest city in the United States, the amount of legal liability it faces on an annual basis is enormous, and the city has recently released the amount it paid in 2010 for legal settlements and legal claims that were the result of allegations of New York personal injury and New York medical malpractice. 

According to the city, it paid out a total of $134.9 million in New York medical malpractice claims in 2010, which was surpassed only by the $135.3 million paid out for claims filed against the New York Police Department.  These claims were paid as a result of allegations filed with the city for injuries suffered by citizens.  With regards to the New York medical malpractice claims, the amounts involved concerned patients who were harmed in the course of obtaining medical care at city-run medical care facilities.

New York Medical Malpractice Statistics

Clearly, the $135 million paid out in settlements and other New York medical malpractice claims is an enormous sum of money, but it may not seem outlandish when one considers the statistics regarding New York medical malpractice claims on a statewide basis.  Every year, nearly 2,000 claims are filed against medical professionals in the state because of alleged situations of medical malpractice, which constitutes nearly 13 percent of all medical malpractice claims filed in the United States.

New York Medical Malpractice Lawyers

While the numbers reported for New York medical malpractice payouts may lead to shocked responses from the public, the fact of the matter is that when someone is injured during the course of receiving medical care, that person can suffer serious additional injuries as a result or even lose their life.  Damages that can be awarded for these lawsuits can be awarded by courts for additional medical costs, lost income and pain and suffering.

If you or someone you love has been harmed while obtaining medical care, you need to seek the help of New York medical malpractice lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of patients for 40 years.  Contact Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald today to schedule a free initial consultation.