A misdiagnosis is never going to be a good thing. Unfortunately, there are times when the careless or negligent actions of a medical provider lead to a misdiagnosis that causes patient harm. When this occurs, victims should be able to secure compensation for what happened. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our qualified and experienced misdiagnosis attorneys in Philadelphia want to look at some of the most commonly asked questions regarding this issue. Our team is always ready to help victims secure the compensation they deserve.
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the US. These researchers also say that diagnostic errors cause more patient harm than any other medical mistake. Some of the most common questions we receive related to a misdiagnosis in Philadelphia include:
Johns Hopkins researchers say that medical errors kill approximately 250,000 people each year, but we know many millions more are injured. There are no exact statistics regarding how often a misdiagnosis occurs, though estimates say that as many as 12 million people are affected each year in the US.
We should be clear that just because a doctor makes an error concerning a diagnosis does not mean that they have committed medical negligence. A misdiagnosis can happen many different ways, including:
A misdiagnosis can result in a medical malpractice claim if the patient suffers harm due to a lack of adequate care from their doctor.
A misdiagnosis can affect all aspects of a person’s life. In many cases of misdiagnosis, a patient’s underlying condition will worsen, requiring them to undergo aggressive treatment. In some cases, a misdiagnosis may not be discovered until it is too late for a patient. One study of 538 patients who reported diagnostic mistakes showed that 28% of the errors led to life-threatening outcomes or permanent disability.
Not all cases of misdiagnosis can be prevented. However, patients should have a good working relationship with their doctor and take steps to thoroughly understand all aspects of their treatment. It never hurts to seek a second opinion, particularly when dealing with a serious medical condition or if you are facing surgery.
If you or a loved one have suffered harm due to a misdiagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation for what happened. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our skilled and experienced team is ready to look into your case and determine whether you are entitled to any of the following compensation:
If you have lost a loved one due to a misdiagnosis, we will look into whether a wrongful death claim is appropriate for your case. When you need a misdiagnosis attorney in Philadelphia, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.
