A recent report, released just this month by a the health-oriented liability insurance provider Coverys, sheds light on the circumstances that lead to most medical malpractice lawsuits being filed. At least one-third of such claims filed are over misdiagnoses.
For the purpose of this study, researchers combed through more than 10,500 medical malpractice cases that Coverys settled during the five-year period between 2013 and 2017. In doing so, they found that at least 35 percent of all diagnostic errors weren’t made by doctors at hospitals, but instead ones working in nonurgent outpatient settings including doctor’s offices.
Of all medical malpractice cases reviewed, one-third of them involved patients accusing doctors of making poorly thought out decisions as early as during their initial evaluation.
The report shows that another 52 percent of misdiagnoses happen during one of the four testing stages, whether it be during the interpretation, transmittal or receipt process, the ordering or performance one.
Of the cases that were reviewed, the majority were filed in response to cancer misdiagnoses. Prostate, breast, colorectal and lung cancers were the types of cancers that were most likely to be misdiagnosed.
Other medical malpractice claims that were filed were done so on the grounds that electronic health records were either comprised or inappropriately used. In at least 58 percent of those cases, either the doctor or medical team’s negligence resulted in patients’ serious injuries or deaths.
Those who are misdiagnosed often suffer declining health or even die long before an accurate one is made.
If your diagnosis has either been delayed or misappropriated, then a Chicago attorney can advise you of your right to file a lawsuit in your case.