Medical error is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. Patients dying due to medical mistakes account for nearly 10 percent of American deaths yearly. These medical errors include actions or inactions taken by medical personnel that injure a patient. The error may take place during diagnosis or treatment. Most medical errors are preventable and happen because of negligence on the part of medical staff. If a patient experiences the harmful effects of medical errors, they may have a legal right to compensation.