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Diagnosis Errors are Costly in Florida Medical Malpractice Cases

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The practice of medicine is extremely complicated, so it should come as no surprise that negligence happens in a variety of ways. However, the results of a recent study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine indicate that misdiagnosis of a medical condition is:

  • The most common type of error that physicians make;
  • The costliest for the patient in terms of follow up care to treat misdiagnosis; and,
  • The most likely mistake to produce severe, catastrophic results.

Medical diagnosis errors, including misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, are often disastrous for the patient. Patients may experience considerable losses, which is why it’s essential to speak to a Florida misdiagnosis lawyer about your legal rights if you suffered harm under such circumstances. Some background information about medical malpractice claims may also be helpful. 

Common Cases for Misdiagnosis: The Johns Hopkins study revealed that three misdiagnosis events in particular accounted for around 75 percent of all injuries stemming from a diagnosis error. Researchers dubbed them the “Big Three,” and they include:

  1. Cancers: The most frequent mistakes involve cancer diagnosis, at around one-third of the most extreme cases involving permanent disability or death. The study showed that breast, skin, and lung cancers experienced the highest levels of misdiagnosis.
  1. Vascular Conditions: This category includes errors in detecting issues affecting the arteries and veins, such as stroke, heart attack, aortic aneurysm, and blood clots. When a vascular condition is misdiagnosed, there are associated delays with treatment – and as a result, the patient may suffer permanent brain damage or other complications.
  1. Infections: In the Hopkins study, 13.5 percent of misdiagnoses were related to infections. Not surprisingly, most patients who went untreated for serious infections were likely to suffer harm in the hospital or emergency room setting, with sepsis being the primary type of infection.

Patient Rights in Misdiagnosis Cases: In the study, researchers found that the two most significant factors behind diagnostic errors stem from medical providers exercising poor judgment and negligence. As a patient, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses under Florida medical malpractice laws. The key is being able to show that the physician’s determination deviates from what a reasonably careful health care provider, in the same field, would have diagnosed.

Call a Florida Misdiagnosis Attorney for Legal Help 

If you were harmed or lost a loved one because of misdiagnosis, you could have rights under Florida’s medical malpractice laws. However, these claims are among the most complicated personal injury cases, so you shouldn’t try to represent yourself. Our Miami medical malpractice lawyers at Freidin Brown, P.A. can shoulder the legal burdens, allowing you the time you need to recover from your injuries. Please contact our offices to set up a free consultation today, so we can review your circumstances and determine a strategy for getting the compensation you deserve by law.

Resource:

Medical Errors Are No. 3 Cause Of U.S Deaths, Researchers Say

Is There Such a Thing as Psychiatric Medical Malpractice?

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