Study Shows Most Medical Malpractice Cases Involve Misdiagnoses

A significant new study released by the British Medical Journal shows that a majority of medical malpractice cases stem from misdiagnoses relating to cancer and heart attacks. According to a CBS news report, Irish researchers reviewed more than 7,150 journal papers on medical malpractice claims. They looked specifically at claims involving primary care doctors. Of the studies, researchers included 34 journal articles in their analysis of primary care malpractice: 15 based in the U.S., nine British, seven Australian, two French and one Canadian.
A significant new study released by the British Medical Journal shows that a majority of medical malpractice cases stem from misdiagnoses relating to cancer and heart attacks. According to a CBS news report, Irish researchers reviewed more than 7,150 journal papers on medical malpractice claims. They looked specifically at claims involving primary care doctors. Of the studies, researchers included 34 journal articles in their analysis of primary care malpractice: 15 based in the U.S., nine British, seven Australian, two French and one Canadian.
Misdiagnosis of Cancer and Heart Conditions
Researchers found that the most common malpractice claims involved missed diagnoses, accounting for between 26 percent and 63 percent of the total claims. Death was the most common consequence listed for the missed diagnosis claims found in between 15 and 48 percent of these cases. Most often, doctors missed diagnoses for adults with cancer or heart conditions. Other cases of misdiagnosis included conditions such as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy and bone fractures. For children, common missed diagnoses involved meningitis and cancers. Drug errors accounted for 6 to 20 percent of the claims.
Devastating Consequences
When a patient is misdiagnosed, the consequences can be catastrophic or even fatal. As the study points out, misdiagnosis of serious diseases such as cancer can prove fatal because the patient will not get the timely treatment he or she needs in order to boost the chances of survival. In many of these cases, it is a matter of life or death. In other cases, patients may suffer side effects as a result of taking the wrong medications or undergo unnecessary treatment or surgery. Victims of medical negligence can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, loss of wages and benefits, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
Compensation for Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to the medical negligence of a doctor or a care facility, the experienced New York medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can provide you with more information about pursuing your legal rights. Our law firm has obtained millions in compensation for victims of medical negligence. Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: CBS NewsMisdiagnosis of Cancer and Heart Conditions
Researchers found that the most common malpractice claims involved missed diagnoses, accounting for between 26 percent and 63 percent of the total claims. Death was the most common consequence listed for the missed diagnosis claims found in between 15 and 48 percent of these cases. Most often, doctors missed diagnoses for adults with cancer or heart conditions. Other cases of misdiagnosis included conditions such as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy and bone fractures. For children, common missed diagnoses involved meningitis and cancers. Drug errors accounted for 6 to 20 percent of the claims.
Devastating Consequences
When a patient is misdiagnosed, the consequences can be catastrophic or even fatal. As the study points out, misdiagnosis of serious diseases such as cancer can prove fatal because the patient will not get the timely treatment he or she needs in order to boost the chances of survival. In many of these cases, it is a matter of life or death. In other cases, patients may suffer side effects as a result of taking the wrong medications or undergo unnecessary treatment or surgery. Victims of medical negligence can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, loss of wages and benefits, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
Compensation for Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to the medical negligence of a doctor or a care facility, the experienced New York medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can provide you with more information about pursuing your legal rights. Our law firm has obtained millions in compensation for victims of medical negligence. Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: CBS News

Email Us