New York residents who may be concerned about the medical care that they or their loved ones receive in a hospital may be interested in the results of recent research conducted by physicians. According to the research, there has been a striking uptick in the number of medical malpractice legal cases that stem from patients being found deceased in their beds.

It is a phenomenon in which post-surgical patients who are recovering in their own rooms on a floor for patients that are deemed to have the lowest risks suddenly and unpredictably die within hours of being there. The prevalent use of opioid pain medication, which constrains the respiratory system to unhealthy levels, robbing the brain of oxygen, is considered a major factor in the increasing number of these type of cases.

Within the last decade, an estimated 50,000 patients have been affected by the phenomenon, according to medical experts. Many of the cases have resulted in severe brain injuries and death. A review of the cases pertaining to respiratory depression also showed a concerning rate of serious injury or death.

A group of physicians examining lawsuits discovered that financial compensation can exceed $7 million. They also found out that a majority of the malpractice claims were avoidable.

The results of an investigation indicated that the number of cases in which patients are found deceased in their hospital beds can be reduced with the use of continuous electronic monitoring of a patient’s oxygen level. However, very few hospitals in the United States take advantage of the readily available technology.

Individuals who suffer from substandard hospital care may have legal recourse. A medical malpractice attorney may work to identify how lapses in proper medical care resulted in a worsened medical condition or death and may file a lawsuit against all liable parties.