Veritas:
Link for Physician-related Deaths, please... I've ran several searches on the
U.S. Dept of Health Human Services website, and was not able to verify that number. Further research has found the following document:
http://www.healthgrades.com/media/dms/pdf/PatientSafetyInAmericanHospitalsStudy2006.pdf
Its listing for the deaths is "83,000
potentially preventable deaths occurred each year," which isn't the same as "accidental deaths."
According to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
2002, about 7,000 people are estimated to die each year from medication errors - about 16 percent more deaths than the number attributable to work-related injuries (6,000 deaths).
Which once again re-creates the statistic as 0.058333 an estimated 6% versus your cited 17%.
Furthermore, I'd like to see the full study, since the statistic requires a formal definition, and "accidental deaths" may factor in deaths on the operating table which are not results of malpractice, yet "unplanned" all the same - opening up a human being, and operating on his/hers internal organs isn't half as simple as responsible and respectful use of a firearm.
Before you start attacking me - I'm asking for SOURCE, and sharing the evidence I've found. Observe the following:
Abstract From 1983 to 1998, U.S. fatalities from acknowledged prescription errors increased by 243%, from 2,876 to 9,856. (
Source)
So yes, it's quite likely that you are correct. But your post resembles a partisan-fueled chain letter than a scientific (or even a pseudo-scientific) claim.
Regarding your Firearm claim, the number seems to be particularly low:
In 2005, 75% of the 10,100
homicides committed using firearms in the
United States were committed using
handguns, compared to 4% with
rifles, 5% with
shotguns, and the rest with a type of firearm not specified.
[31] Due to the lethal potential that a gun brings to a situation, the likelihood that a death will result is significantly increased when either the victim or the attacker has a gun.
[32]
Here's the best bit: this wasn't an accidental death - this was a dude shooting two mother

ers. As a supporter of the 2nd amendment I find your post to be irresponsible:
1. Gun Safety and responsible Firearm use should be encouraged and constantly put into the spotlight.
2. Posting questionable numbers causes two things: first, it gives 2nd amendment supporters a bad name, secondly, it presents a false image of "security" that guns entail which does not hold up against figures such as
THIS.
3. You've completely ignored the main problem with any gun control argument, thus conceding the argument for the side opposing the 2nd amendment. Many criminals obtain firearms illegaly, and gun control laws won't only prevent them from obtaining weapons, but will also grant criminals additional power over the unarmed populace that is forbidden by law to protect themselves.
Notice, by the way, that the current case has nothing to do with gun control - it has to do with irresponsible behavior of a single individual. Any person abusing his right to own a firearm is harmful, and this does not compare to the infamous Texas Diner Massacre which paved the way towards the concealed handgun law passed by the governor George W. Bush as his first piece of legislature.
In case you've fogotten, by now... I STILL WANT A LINK TO VERIFY THE NUMBERS YOU'VE POSTED.