The Top 10 Medical Misdiagnoses

Patients rely on their doctors’ training, diagnostic tests, and medical technology to diagnose them. Doctors act confidently in making a diagnosis to assure patients they will get the care they need. Unfortunately, doctors make mistakes. Misdiagnoses can cause serious, lasting health problems.

Medical misdiagnosis is responsible for thousands of patient deaths every year. Health care providers are responsible for injuries caused by medical negligence. If you think a doctor made the wrong diagnosis and caused your injuries, talk to a medical malpractice lawyer for help.

What Is a Medical Misdiagnosis?

When doctors evaluate patients, they develop a diagnosis. A diagnosis identifies the disease, illness, or medical condition. Patient evaluations are based on a physical exam, symptoms, medical history, and other factors. A diagnosis guides your treatment and follow-up care.

A doctor who makes the wrong diagnosis can make it more difficult to treat your actual injuries or illness. A misdiagnosis means you may get treatment for a condition you don’t have. This can mean failing to treat the underlying condition, or worse — unnecessary interventions can cause more harm.

If you receive a misdiagnosis, you could keep living with a delayed diagnosis for a condition that remains untreated. This can cause your condition to get worse, spread, and cause additional damage. Only after acknowledging the misdiagnosis can you get the medical treatment you need.

Top 10 Medical Misdiagnoses

A Johns Hopkins research study estimates that about 795,000 Americans die or suffer permanent disability because of diagnostic errors. The big three misdiagnosis errors account for about 75% of deaths and serious harm. The big three are vascular events, infections, and cancers. Among the top 10 medical misdiagnoses in these categories are:

• Stroke
• Sepsis
• Lung cancer
• Heart attack
• Venous thrombosis (blood clots)
• Meningitis and encephalitis
• Spinal infection
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Prostate cancer

Why Doctors Make Medical Mistakes

Doctors make life-threatening mistakes for many reasons. They can order the wrong tests, prescribe the wrong dosage, or mix up patients during surgery. When doctors fail to make the correct diagnosis, patients get the wrong treatment. This can put their safety at risk. Some reasons why health care professionals misdiagnose patients include:

• Failing to order follow-up diagnostic tests
• Having overburdened emergency departments
• Failing to interpret test results
• Not reviewing patient history and family history
• Not listening to patient complaints
• Having miscommunications with doctors in other specialties
• Decision-making under stress and lack of sleep

Doctors can also exhibit confirmation bias. They confirm their initial diagnosis instead of considering other causes. After coming to a decision, they can close off other possibilities. Doctors can also make a conclusion before they have all the information they need to make a proper diagnosis.

Diseases With Similar Symptoms

Many medical malpractice claims involve misdiagnosing a condition with similar symptoms. Serious medical conditions may share symptoms with other commonly misdiagnosed conditions. Doctors should use their medical experience to make the right diagnosis. They should work together and consult with other doctors to avoid making serious medical errors.

Doctor Liability for Common Medical Errors

Doctors owe patients a professional duty of care. Doctors are liable if they fail to follow the medical standards of care, which causes personal injury. You and your loved ones can file a medical malpractice claim to hold the doctor liable. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, you need to prove the following elements:

• The doctor owed you a duty of care as the patient
• The doctor breached the standard of care by deviating from medical standards
• The doctor’s negligence caused your injuries
• You suffered harm as a result

How To Protect Yourself From Misdiagnoses

Protecting yourself from medical misdiagnosis is difficult. You don’t have the medical training and experience of a licensed clinician. But many victims of medical malpractice report their medical care isn’t helping their condition. You can request a second opinion. However, the health care system can make it hard for patients to get another doctor to review their medical records. Many people don’t get a second opinion because of the high costs of health care.

Legal Steps To Take if You Suspect a Misdiagnosis

If you suspect a misdiagnosis, talk to a medical malpractice lawyer about your legal options. An experienced lawyer can review your records and determine if you have a medical malpractice case. They can have a medical professional review your case to identify how the doctor negligently caused your injuries.

You have a limited time to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. The statute of limitations puts a deadline on how long you have to recover compensation. If you wait too long to talk to a lawyer, the court can dismiss your case. Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney for legal advice about your misdiagnosis.