Michigan Misdiagnosis Lawyer
Diagnostic errors are a significant problem in the medical field. One 2014 study found that approximately 12 million adults in the United States are misdiagnosed in outpatient care medical facilities every year. Out of all those cases of misdiagnosis, it’s estimated that about half of them could potentially be harmful to patients. According to another study published by The National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine, misdiagnosis causes about 10% of patient deaths and 6-17% of adverse events in hospitals.
Misdiagnosis is the most commonly cited root cause of medical malpractice claims. A study by Coverys found that misdiagnosis claims represented 33% of all malpractice claims between 2013 and 2017. Errors can occur at any point in the diagnostic process, including during initial patient evaluation, lab testing, patient referral, and physician follow-up.
It’s important to note that while a misdiagnosis and a missed diagnosis are very similar, there is a distinction between the two. A misdiagnosis occurs when a patient receives an incorrect diagnosis. On the other hand, a missed diagnosis involves the lack of a diagnosis. While both types of cases can be absolutely devastating for patients, a missed diagnosis can potentially result in a patient’s condition worsening and becoming more difficult to treat later on because of the lack of a diagnosis.
Unfortunately, not all cases of medical misdiagnosis are even accidental. There have been cases of unethical doctors intentionally misdiagnosing patients for the purposes of doing unnecessary tests and treatments for their own financial gain, showing a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of their patients.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a misdiagnosis, don’t hesitate to get the help of a medical malpractice lawyer. These types of cases are very complex and healthcare facilities will do everything they can to deny their mistakes. It’s important to have someone on your side who not only understands the law, but has a track record of success in handling misdiagnosis cases. Contact Scott Goodwin Law P.C. today to talk to a Michigan medical malpractice lawyer today.
Medical Conditions Commonly Involved in Misdiagnosis Claims
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Cancer
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Infections
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Cardiac/vascular conditions
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Fractures and dislocations
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Myocardial infarctions
(Source: Coverys)