Medical malpractice can occur for a variety of reasons, but in a 2015 report published by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, diagnostic errors were found to be the leading type of paid malpractice claims. Additionally, it is estimated that 5% of adults in the U.S. who seek outpatient care each year experience a diagnostic error, and these account for approximately 10% of patient deaths. Thus, it’s important for patients to realize that the risk of a missed diagnosis is a serious threat. Here are some of the most commonly missed diagnoses cited in malpractice cases. 

4 Conditions That Often Lead to Medical Malpractice Due to Missed Diagnosis 

1. Cancer 

Cancer tends to be the number one missed diagnoses in medical malpractice cases. It may be overlooked because of inadequate patient evaluation, incomplete medical history, a misstep in recognizing warning signs, or failure to offer appropriate tests and screenings. Many forms of cancer will respond to treatment if it is caught in the early stages, so a correct diagnosis is essential to recovery.

2. Heart Attack 

The symptoms of a heart attack can vary greatly from one person to the next. Some people have few to no symptoms at all, which often results in a missed diagnosis and subsequent medical malpractice claim. Because quick detection and treatment can save the person’s life, patients should push for further testing before discharge. Women have a higher likelihood of experiencing a missed diagnosis because they don’t typically have chest pain. 

3. Stroke 

Even veteran physicians can have difficulty diagnosing a stroke. This is because the symptoms mirror those that are related to other ailments. Younger patients, in particular, are regularly sent home from the hospital prematurely with a missed stroke diagnosis. It is frequently mistaken for vertigo, a migraine, or intoxication. 

4. Fibromyalgia 

Diagnosing fibromyalgia is tricky because it is often done by eliminating other options. The standard symptoms include fatigue and widespread body pain, neither of which is visible or can be tested. These symptoms are also common in a host of other illnesses, which means physicians are likely to think it’s something else first.

If you believe you have experienced medical malpractice due to a missed diagnosis, seek counsel from a personal injury attorney. The legal team at Ibold & O’Brien has been representing residents throughout the Geauga and Ashtabula counties of Ohio for nearly four decades, during which they have earned a track record of success for holding health care providers responsible for their negligent behavior. They have helped numerous clients recover the maximum amount of compensation they’re entitled to. Call (440) 285-3511 to schedule a consultation, or visit them online for more information on proving a malpractice case.