Nield Law Group, APC Logo
Nield Law Group, APC Logo

800-827-1458 For Personalized Legal Advice 

  • Home
  • Attorneys
  • Personal Injury
    • Motor Vehicle Accidents
    • Premises Liability
    • Wrongful Death
    • Medical Malpractice
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
  • Blog
  • Contact
Nield Law Group, APC Logo
1-800-827-1458
  • HOME
  • ATTORNEYS
  • PERSONAL INJURY
    • MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
    • PREMISES LIABILITY
    • WRONGFUL DEATH
    • MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • ARTICLES
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • X Close

Diagnostic errors dominate medical malpractice claims

On behalf of Nield Law Group, APC | Sep 29, 2014 | Medical Malpractice

According to the Journal of Patient Safety, between 210,000 and 400,000 people die every year because of a medical mistake. Based on these numbers, the Journal of the American Medical Association determined that medical negligence has become the third leading cause of death in the country. The reason for the range in numbers is that limitations in medical records make the exact cause hard to track.

What is not disputable is the leading factor behind medical malpractice lawsuits: diagnostic errors. A diagnostic error could mean:

  • Failing to diagnose a problem in a timely manner
  • Misdiagnosing a medical condition
  • Never catching the issue

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine conducted a study in which researchers pored over 25 years of malpractice claims. The study found that failure to diagnose or other diagnostic mistakes account for 160,000 deaths or permanent injuries every year. Further, researchers found that these types of errors lead the charge in terms of the factors that lead to malpractice lawsuits resulting in an award or settlement for the victim, comprising 28.6 percent of the total. At the same time, lawsuits stemming from diagnostic errors also have the highest payouts, netting $38.8 billion over the 25-year period.

Coming up with a solution for the problem may not be cut-and-dry. The Johns Hopkins study reported that because it can be hard to pinpoint when or even if a diagnostic error occurs, it is difficult to track the problem. Additionally, there are no public reporting requirements necessary for these types of errors as there are for other mistakes, such as a surgical error. However, patients deserve to feel safe under the care of a physician who can properly identify and treat their condition, and the medical industry needs to find a solution for this problem.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Recent Posts

  • How to launch a wrongful death suit in California
  • Pedestrian and cyclist deaths soar in 2019
  • A government watchdog criticizes pedestrian safety rules
  • Why are pedestrian accidents on the rise?
  • What to know about dog bite cases

Categories

  • Birth Injury
  • Car Accidents
  • Dog Bites
  • Firm News
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Wrongful Death

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

FindLaw Network

Contact The Firm

Nield Law Group, APC Logo

Toll Free

800-827-1458

Encinitas Office

681 Encinitas Blvd.
Suite 315
Encinitas, CA 92024

Map & Directions

Los Angeles Office

6033 W.Century Blvd
Suite 605
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Map & Directions

Desert/Inland Empire Office

60222 Angora Ct.
La Quinta, CA 92253

Map & Directions

Breckenridge Office

400 North Park Ave
Suite 10-B
Breckenridge, CO 80424

Map & Directions

Pepperdine University School of Law Seal
Lead Counsel Rated Logo
Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Logo
American Board of Trial Advocates Logo
Rated by Super Lawyers Logo - Edgar R. Nield
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2021 Nield Law Group, APC. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters

Review Us