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Study Finds Misdiagnosis To Be Leading Cause Of Medical Malpractice Payouts

May 1, 2013

A Medical Malpractice Lawsuit can be filed for any number of negligent acts performed by a doctor that result in injury to a patient; however, a new study has shown that misdiagnosis is the leading cause of claim payouts.

According to a story released by FOX 7 News, researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine examined a database of medical malpractice claims that had been filed between 1986 and 2010. Of the claims that were looked at, it was discovered that misdiagnosis was responsible for roughly 35 percent of all claims and accounted for more than $38.8 billion in payouts to injured patients. These findings led researcher to conclude that an estimated 160,000 patients per year are the victims of misdiagnosis.

This common mistake seemed to be more prevalent among those who were considered outpatients. When a misdiagnosis was made with a person who had been checked into the hospital, the results were more likely to be fatal.

The findings have left many citizens concerned for their safety and wondering what they can do to prevent being the victim of such a medical error. Experts say one of the best ways to prevent misdiagnosis is to be thorough in the explanation of symptoms to a doctor and to ask plenty of questions.

The Terre Haute Personal Injury Attorneys with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin are hopeful these safety tips will help protect the public from the dangers of a misdiagnosis by a physician.

Reach out to a Terre Haute Personal Injury Attorney Today

The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.

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