Missed Diagnoses Amount for Most Malpractice Claims

August 29, 2013 | Crandall & Pera Law
Missed Diagnoses Amount for Most Malpractice Claims

Missed or delayed diagnoses are the most common medical mistakes resulting in malpractice claims, followed by medication errors, according to a review in BMJ Open.

Failure to or delay in diagnosis represents 26% - 63% of all malpractice claims according to researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical School of Dublin. In adults, common missed or delayed diagnoses included cancer and myocardial infarction, while in children they included meningitis.

Medication errors, meanwhile, represent 5.6% - 20% of all malpractice claims. In the U.S., general practice ranked in the top five specialties accounting for the most claims, compared with other disciplines, representing 7.6% - 20% of all claims.

As the authors wrote, "This review of malpractice claims in primary care highlights diagnosis and medication error as areas to be prioritized in developing educational strategies and risk management systems." Read the full details here:

Missed Diagnoses, Errors Most Common Malpractice Claims

Medical malpractice injures or causes wrongful death and catastrophic injuries to thousands of patients each year. If you or someone you know are a victim of malpractice you should call for a free consolation to ensure your rights are protected.

If you or a family member believe you have a medical malpractice case, including errors or delay in diagnosis, contact Crandall & Pera Law today for a free case evaluation. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.