Individuals implicitly trust their doctors to provide them with the best possible diagnosis and medical advice. Most doctors have good relationships with their patients, and their clients enjoy a healthier life as a result. While most doctors are attentive and careful, they do make mistakes. One of the most frequent problems is misdiagnosing a medical condition.
Experiencing the fallout after being misdiagnosed by a medical professional can be devastating for some patients. Being misdiagnosed by a professional can result in death. Others may suffer severe illness as a result, which is a huge financial blow to most people.
How Often does Medical Misdiagnosis Occur?
Cases of delayed, missed, and incorrect diagnosis occur in 10 to 20 percent of all medical cases. It’s estimated that 28 percent of these errors were life-threatening or resulted in permanent disability or even death.
Scarily, many of these medical errors go unreported and don’t lead to medical malpractice lawsuits filed by the victim or their family. As a result, it’s difficult to get a specific number concerning actual misdiagnoses. Ninety-six percent of doctors stated that they believe that diagnostic errors are preventable. Half of those also claimed that they encountered at least one diagnostic error each month.
The reluctance to report those errors, even anonymously, increases the risk of patients suffering harm that may also prove to be irreparable.
Take a Stand Against Misdiagnosis
Anyone who has suffered injuries as a result of misdiagnosis should consider filing a medical malpractice suit. Taking a doctor to court may be a stressful process, but an experienced attorney can make it worth your while. Attorneys take on the responsibility of finding evidence, expert witnesses, and more to secure the compensation you deserve.
Injuries from medical misdiagnosis can be severe and long-lasting. In the worst scenarios, they may never fully heal. A medical malpractice attorney is an invaluable asset in helping you recover funds for the following damages:
- All medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence
Being a medical professional is demanding, and medical facilities get swamped with patients. However, it is a doctor’s job (and a legal requirement) to keep his patients safe and informed. When incidents go unreported, irresponsible medical professionals risk injuring even more people.
Unfortunately, medical misdiagnosis occurs every single day. These mistakes can result in severe injuries disability and even death. Consulting with an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Fort Lauderdale is essential to helping you stay afloat during this difficult time. Talk to the robust team of personal injury lawyers at Salpeter Gitkin, LLP about your case for free. Call 954-467-8622 or email us a description of your legal issue.
