Doctors are not perfect, but you still expect that their education, training, and experience will lead to quality patient care in diagnosing medical conditions. The statistics reported by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) are disturbing, with missed or delayed diagnoses comprising 21% of all medical malpractice claims. These figures do not include misdiagnosis instances where there was no adverse event or harm to the patient. The numbers are much higher and should not be disregarded, as they still constitute serious mistakes.
Researchers have found through their analysis that there are three medical conditions that are wrongly diagnosed at higher rates than others. These are relatively common ailments, so you should become familiar with the risks. Mistakes may constitute medical malpractice, and a Miami diagnostic errors attorney can assist with your claim. Some information on the top misdiagnosed conditions is also helpful.
Big Three Conditions Most Frequently Misdiagnosed
It is disturbing to think that physicians make the most errors when diagnosing some of the most serious medical conditions. These Big Three represent 74.1% of all misdiagnosis claims:
- Vascular events constitute 22.8% of diagnosis mistakes. Heart attack, stroke, and aneurysm are examples. These are conditions that require immediate treatment, making a prompt, accurate diagnosis essential.
- Around 14% of all misdiagnosis cases are related to infection. Diagnostic errors of sepsis are the most common, and the outcomes are poor for the patient. Organ shutdown, post-sepsis syndrome, and even death are possible when the body goes to extremes to fight off infection.
- Cancer represents 37.8% of all diagnosis mistakes, with lung cancer being a top condition misdiagnosed. Only 16% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at the early stages.
Misdiagnosis is Malpractice
In Florida, medical malpractice laws cover a wide range of errors made by healthcare providers. Diagnostic errors are included, but the statute uses general language to describe medical negligence. If a physician deviates from the standard of care that applies to the situation, they may be liable. Therefore, the specifics of this standard are important:
- For a misdiagnosis claim, you must prove what the standard is. Your doctor will be measured against other physicians with the same training, skill, and level of care who are faced with the same facts as your case.
- Once you establish the standard, you need to show how your healthcare provider deviated from it. Examples are not ordering the proper tests, failing to conduct a thorough exam or misinterpreting test results.
Our Miami Diagnostic Errors Lawyers Will Support Your Med Mal Claim
If you suffered harm because of the big three misdiagnosed medical conditions or any other ailment, you could qualify for compensation. For more information, please contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA, at our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, FL. We can schedule a no-cost case review by calling (305) 371-6000 or checking us out online. After reviewing your circumstances, a Miami misdiagnosis attorney can explain monetary damages for med mal cases.