Building a Wellness Safety Net: Prevention, Preparation, and Protection

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You deserve competent medical care. Care that won't put your life at risk.

But unfortunately, medical mistakes are some of the leading causes of preventable death in America today. In fact, it's estimated 250,000 people lose their lives each year due to medical errors.

That's scary… and 100% preventable.

Here's the good news.

If you understand how standard of care violations happen and the steps you can take before and after, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming another needless statistic.

In this article:

1. What Is a Standard of Care Violation?

2. Why These Violations Are Dangerous

3. Prevention: Create Your First Line of Defense

4. Preparation: Steps to Take if Something Goes Wrong

5. Protection: How to Respond to a Violation

What Is a Standard of Care Violation?

Standard of care violations occur when your doctor or another medical professional fails to provide treatment that meets industry standards.

Essentially…

Medical professionals have to abide by a standard of care. It's a set of guidelines regarding safety and treatment that every hospital and doctor should uphold. When medical staff violate those guidelines and it causes you harm, that's considered negligence.

Failure to diagnose your illness. Performing the wrong surgery. Administering the wrong medication.

These are all examples of standard of care violations.

The standard of care isn't optional. It's what every patient is entitled to when they enter a hospital or check in with their doctor. When medical staff fail to meet that standard and it causes you harm, working with a medical malpractice attorney can help you pursue justice.

Got it?

Well, here's the scary part…

Nine times out of ten patients don't realize there's been a violation until it's too late. That's why building a wellness safety net matters so much.

Why Are Violations So Dangerous?

Did you know patients are more likely to die from medical errors than they are from…

Car accidents (number 6 on the leading causes of death list)

or falls (number 18)

Yet year after year medical errors continue to take a significant toll on innocent families.

Statistics from the Joint Commission show preventable medical errors classified as sentinel events increased by 13% in 2024 compared to last year. These events include death, permanent harm and severe injuries that shouldn't occur during medical care.

Diagnostic errors alone make up one-third of all medical malpractice claims.

Why?

Because they're so common.

Doctors getting your diagnosis wrong. Missing your diagnosis altogether.

Then there are the ripple effects…

Your cancer diagnosis is missed and you go months without treatment.

The doctor performs surgery on the wrong body part and causes permanent damage.

A nurse administers the wrong medicine and you have a life-threatening reaction.

These are all standard of care violations that completely change the course of your life. But had the proper procedures and protocols been followed, they would've been 100% preventable.

A whopping 55% of patient harm is preventable according to the World Health Organization. HALF OF THESE INCIDENTS could have been avoided entirely.

Prevention: Create Your First Line of Defense

Prevention is the first pillar of your wellness safety net. By taking these proactive steps, you drastically reduce your chances of being a victim to medical malpractice.

Ready to prevent bad outcomes?

Here's what you can do:

Research everything.

This includes your medical providers, your treatment options and anything else you'll come across during your journey. Take advantage of free patient resources and don't hesitate to speak with other people about their medical experiences.

Ask questions.

Again, you have every right to understand your treatment. If something doesn't feel right or seems out of the norm, get a second opinion. Doctors aren't perfect and many don't like it when you question them, but you have every right to ask questions.

Documentation is key.

Any and every visit, medication or test should be documented by medical staff. But it's also a good idea for YOU to keep your own records. That way if a standard of care violation occurs, you have the proper documentation to back up your claim.

Preparation: What To Do When Things Go Wrong

Sometimes, things go sideways.

Despite your best efforts to prevent something bad from happening, you can't prepare for every scenario. That's why preparation is the second pillar of your wellness safety net.

First off, familiarize yourself with the signs:

Once again, standard of care violations can be obvious. But they can also be subtle. Routine procedures are rushed. Doctors ignore your symptoms. Nurses fail to double-check critical information.

There are about 400,000 victims of preventable harm by hospitalized patients each year. So know the signs. Docs and nurses get careless all the time.

You should:

Have a plan.

Keep an emergency contact list with family members and legal contacts nearby. Make sure you know where your medical documents are stored. And understand your rights as a patient at that hospital/clinic.

Documentation is KING!

If a standard of care violation occurs, you want to have evidence. Real time evidence. This means keeping excellent records that can be used later if necessary.

Protecting Yourself: Responding to Violations

Okay, so you did your research, asked questions and kept records. But you were still a victim to a medical mistake.

Now what?

DO NOT wait.

Statute of limitations are real, and they can happen fast. If you wait too long to take legal action against a provider that violated your standard of care, you could forfeit your right to sue. Below are the necessary steps to take if you find yourself in this situation.

Get a second opinion.

If you suspect your current doctor or medical provider has made a mistake, seek out a second opinion. You need to know how they violated your standard of care and how that violation will affect you in the long run.

Collect your evidence.

Any documentation you can provide will be helpful. Medical records, doctors visits, bills, you name it. Stuff piles up when you're in the medical system so keep good records.

Consult a professional.

Did your doctor cause you permanent damage? Lose your ability to work? Consult a medical malpractice attorney immediately. Not only can they review your documents and provide legal advice, but they'll walk you through every step of the process.

File a complaint.

Send that negligent doctor a formal letter outlining everything they did wrong. You'll also want to file a complaint with your state's medical board and/or the hospital you were treated at.

Pulling Your Safety Net Together

Now that you know how to prevent, prepare and protect yourself against sub-par medical care, it's time to build that wellness safety net.

Just remember:

PREVENTION comes from taking action. Do your research, ask questions and keep good records.

PREPARATION is knowing the warning signs and having your documentation ready.

PROTECTION means acting quick, having your ducks in a row and working with a professional.