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As we’ve discussed in the past, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States. There are many different types of incidents that can be characterized as medical malpractice, such as failure to diagnose, prescription errors, birth injuries, nursing home abuse, and misdiagnosis. For our purposes today, we are going to focus on misdiagnosis. According to statistics, misdiagnosis has made up the lion’s share of medical malpractice cases in the United States over the last 25 years. In fact, payouts total nearly $39 billion and there have been more than 350,000 claims. Many people do not realize this, but misdiagnosis is both common and costly. Furthermore, a recent study indicates that diagnosis-related errors were the leading cause of medical malpractice claims associated with either death or disability.
As a leading medical malpractice attorney, we have handled a wide range of misdiagnosis cases throughout Dallas and elsewhere in Texas. We understand how serious these types of cases can be and are well-poised to fight for your rights. Medical negligence of any kind is no joking matter, as we place a great deal of trust in doctors, hospitals, and nurses to ensure we receive the care and attention we deserve. When an error is made or a doctor jumps to a conclusion, misdiagnosing a specific disease or ailment, the results are often catastrophic. If you or a loved one is the victim of misdiagnosis or some other form of medical malpractice, please contact Rad Law Firm today.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Before we dive into the topic of misdiagnosis, let’s take a brief look at what, exactly, medical malpractice is. Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional, such as a doctor, nurse, technician, hospital staff member, dentist, or other healthcare provider causes harm or death to a patient by failing to provide adequate care or is acting recklessly. It is important to keep in mind that an error in judgment is not always considered malpractice. If your medical provider did not provide quality care or made a decision that resulted in you suffering unnecessary injury or worse, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Due to the complicated nature of these types of cases, we encourage you to retain the services of a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney from Rad Law Firm to help you navigate your case.
Is Misdiagnosis Considered Malpractice?
Even though misdiagnosis is the most common type of malpractice, it can be confusing and many people mistakenly believe it is not a form of medical malpractice. While it is true that medicine is not an exact science and the law does not require doctors to provide the right diagnosis every single time, this does not mean that healthcare professionals are off the hook when they make a misdiagnosis. A misdiagnosis may be considered malpractice if the doctor in question neglected your medical history, failed to order the appropriate tests for your condition, or did not properly recognize the symptoms of your illness. Keep in mind that, if you did not suffer any injuries as a result of the misdiagnosis, you have no basis for a medical malpractice claim.
All that being said, both misdiagnosis and wrong diagnosis are extremely serious and can have a devastating impact on an individual and their loved ones. In today’s society, medical mistakes remain a national epidemic, with about 100,000 people dying every single year as a result of medical malpractice. Despite the prevalence of these types of cases, malpractice often goes unrecognized and unreported. To learn more about your rights regarding medical malpractice, please contact one of our Dallas attorneys today.
