Test Case
In theory, the courts are a place where people who’ve suffered harm can seek compensation. But it’s harder than you might think.
Some patients suffer injuries that are not clearly negligent; others can’t prove economic losses high enough to make it worthwhile for an attorney to take their case, according to a recent Emory University study.
How does it play out? Create a test case by answering the questions, then see the result.
Some states have passed laws that limit the amount of money patients can receive in malpractice cases. Do you live in one of these states?
Yes
No
Looks like you’ve found an attorney to take your case. You’re the one out of fifty with the right kind of error, the right demographic (upper-class white male), the right degree of harm, and living in the right state.
Try again
Click to see the numbers behind patient harm
Infections
A patient advocacy group called CampaignZERO has a checklist with simple steps to help patients avoid common hospital-acquired infections.
campaignzero.org
Medication
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has a guide to help patients protect themselves from medication errors.
ahrq.gov
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Credits
DIRECTOR - Thomas Jennings, 2over10 for PBS/Frontline
PRODUCER - Sabrina Shankman, 2over10 for PBS/Frontline
REPORTERS - Marshall Allen and Olga Pierce, ProPublica
NARRATOR - Marshall Allen, ProPublica
CREATIVE DIRECTOR - Michael Nieling, Ocupop
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT - Sam Bailey, Entropy Media for PBS/Frontline
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR - Matthew McVickar, Ocupop
DEVELOPER - Justin Falcone, Ocupop
JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR - Nick Krusick, Ocupop
JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR - Abby Lindstrom, Ocupop
ANIMATOR - Fola Akinola, Nomad Motion LLC
CAMERA - Thomas Jennings, 2over10 for PBS/Frontline
EDITOR (Video) - Sonja Bozic
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - Mindy Yuen, 2over10 for PBS/Frontline
ADDITIONAL CAMERA - Andrew Burton, Jon Groat and Jen Heck
MUSIC - Justin Falcone, Ocupop
FOR FRONTLINE:
DIRECTOR, DIGITAL MEDIA/SENIOR EDITOR - Andrew Golis
ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL - Sarah Moughty
FOR PROPUBLICA:
SENIOR EDITOR - Tom Detzel
SENIOR EDITOR, NEWS APPLICATIONS - Scott Klein
NEWS APPLICATIONS DEVELOPER - Al Shaw
COMMUNITY EDITOR - Blair Hickman
RESEARCH - Kirsten Berg