What is the Most Common Error That Leads to Medical Malpractice Claims?

According to a report by an insurance provider, diagnosis-related events were the most common error that led to medical malpractice claims. Coverys Insurance Services examined 10,618 claims from 2013 to 2017. It found that diagnostic errors were the leading cause of claims followed by surgical/procedural errors, medical management mistakes, and medication-related errors. It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of the medical diagnoses in the United States each year or inaccurate.

If you believe your doctor made a mistake with your diagnosis, contact Costa Ivone Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Chicago medical malpractice attorney.

What are the Consequences of Diagnostic Mistakes and Diagnostic Negligence?

A physician can make a diagnostic error in one of several ways. Diagnostic errors and mistakes include:

• Misdiagnosis of a condition;
• Delayed diagnosis;
• Failing to conduct a thorough physical examination of the patient;
• Failing to order certain diagnostic tests; and,
• Incorrectly interpreting the results of diagnostic tests.

When a physician makes a diagnostic error that results in an incorrect diagnosis, the patient may receive unnecessary medical treatment. The treatment could make the actual condition or illness worse. Likewise, a delayed diagnosis can result in a condition or illness becoming worse because the patient does not receive the medical care that he or she needs.

When a patient’s illness or condition is not diagnosed timely and accurately, the patient can suffer great harm. In some cases, the harm suffered by the patient is permanent. In some cases, diagnostic errors can result in the death of the patient.

Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim for Diagnostic Errors

Proving fault and liability in a medical malpractice claim involving a diagnostic error can be complicated. We must prove:

• The doctor committed an error when diagnosing the patient;
• The diagnostic error resulted in harm to the patient that would not have occurred had it not been for the diagnostic error; and,
• The patient sustained damages because of the diagnostic error.

Medical experts are needed to review the case and provide testimony that supports the allegations of medical malpractice. It can take time to locate a medical expert who can review the case and render an opinion. It also takes time for the medical excerpt to complete his or her review.

Therefore, an individual who has sustained an injury or harm because of a diagnostic error should seek legal advice as soon as possible from a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer. Waiting too long to talk to an attorney can result in a denial of your medical malpractice claim.

Compensation for Medical Malpractice Claims Involving Diagnostic Errors

If medical errors or medical negligence caused your injuries, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages. In a diagnostic error case, damages that might be included in a claim include:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of treatment, services, supplies, and medications
• Loss of income, including future lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disability
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and fear

The amount of money you may receive for a medical malpractice claim involving diagnostic errors depends on the facts of your case. A major factor that can increase the amount of compensation recovered for a claim is whether you sustained a permanent impairment or disability because of the diagnostic error. If so, you might be entitled to additional compensation.

Contact a Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney Now for a Free Case Review

Do not wait another day to contact an Illinois medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case. Doctors and other medical providers are held to a high standard of care. Medical negligence and medical errors occur at an alarming rate. We need to hold health care providers responsible when their actions or inactions breach the standard of care patients are entitled to receive.

Call the Costa Ivone Injury Lawyers at (708) 400-0000 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Chicago medical malpractice attorney.

Costa Ivone, LLC
311 N Aberdeen St #100B, Chicago, IL 60607
(708) 400-0000