What's Causing the Most Deaths in Medical Malpractice?

What’s Causing the Most Deaths in Medical Malpractice?

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Shapiro Law Group

We know that medical malpractice affects millions of Americans each year. There are many forms of medical malpractice, including surgical mistakes and medication errors. However, when it comes to death from medical malpractice, misdiagnoses outpace all other forms.

The large majority of Americans, when hearing the term medical malpractice, immediately assume surgical errors or medication mix-ups.

Daren Monroe of Litigation Funding Corporation in Michigan states, “In reality, misdiagnoses are the leading cause. The have cost over $39 billion in medical negligence payouts over the past quarter of a century.”

A medical misdiagnosis occurs when a medical professional does not pay proper attention to, or dismisses what appear to be, common symptoms. In some cases the symptoms, while also indicating minor issues, are indicative of a much more serious disease.

A recent misdiagnosis case highlighted how a West Virginia doctor sent a young boy home, stating that his stomach pains were caused by constipation. Several hours later, the boy died as a result of internal bleeding from a lacerated kidney, an injury sustained at a playground.

Misdiagnosis often leads to the wrong treatment or lack thereof and may result in debilitating injuries and even death.

So What Is Causing Medical Misdiagnoses?

According to Dr. Jon LaPook, CBS News chief medical correspondent, “Doctors lack the appropriate time to spend with their patients due to aggressive, demanding workloads. Appointments are rushed, and neither party can discuss the patients’ symptoms properly.”

Over 12 million Americans are misdiagnosed every year.

If a patient becomes a victim of medical malpractice, he or she should contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.

Shapiro Law Group – Medical Malpractice Attorneys Serving the Tampa Bay Area

Source: http://www.lawfirmnewswire.com/2014/08/medical-misdiagnoses-outpace-surgical-medication-errors-for-deaths-from-medical-malpractice/

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