Second most frequent source of malpractice claims was drug errors, which accounted for 5.6 percent to 20 percent of the claims
New York, N.Y (PRWEB) August 12, 2013
Most malpractice claims against primary care doctors stem from missed diagnoses, particularly those that relate to cancer, heart attack and meningitis. According to a July 18 study published in the BMJ Open, researchers reviewed 34 studies published over the last two years including 15 based in the United States.
The report states that in the United States, primary care doctors accounted for between 7.6 percent and 16 percent of all medical malpractice claims. Missed diagnoses account for 26 percent to 63 percent of the total and the most common consequence of missed diagnoses in malpractice claims was death, which occurred in 15 to 48 percent of the claims, the report stated.
Missed diagnoses among adults also related to conditions such as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy and broken bones, while among children claims resulted from misdiagnosis of cancer and meningitis, the report stated. The second most frequent source of malpractice claims was drug errors, which accounted for 5.6 percent to 20 percent of the claims, researchers found.
Medical negligence, misdiagnosis in particular, often results in devastating consequences for patients, says New York personal injury lawyer Kenneth A. Wilhelm. "We have seen victims undergo unnecessary, painful and costly treatments as a result of incorrect or delayed diagnosis. In some cases, misdiagnosis can also lead to death."
Wilhelm says patients suffer unnecessary medical expenses and experience significant pain and discomfort as a result. "These are avoidable mistakes. Ultimately, it is the patient who pays the price for the doctor's or hospital's errors. It is important for these patients and their families to understand that they have legal rights and can seek financial compensation for their losses."
About the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm
The Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm is a personal injury litigation firm with an unwavering dedication to its clients. With more than 41 years of experience, our firm strives to obtain the best compensation for those who have been injured or those who have lost a loved one due to an accident or by someone else's negligence. We handle cases dealing with personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, workers' compensation, dental malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, rape, paralysis, comas, seizures, false arrest, lead poisoning, trips and slips and falls, elevator accidents, construction accidents, Erb's palsy, cerebral palsy, brain damage, blindness, hearing loss, dog bite cases, fire and smoke inhalation accidents, bicycle accidents, falls from windows or scaffolds, and many other types of accidents and injuries.
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