How dangerous is misdiagnosis? Unfortunately, it’s one of the bigger problems in modern medicine and can lead to significant issues. It’s vital for you to recognize just how dangerous this situation is, but also what your rights are to move forward and take legal action against the doctor who misdiagnoses you.
#1 - Cases Each Year
In the United States, there are roughly 12 million cases of misdiagnosis. Unfortunately, women and minorities are 20 to 30 percent more likely to receive a misdiagnosis because of a medical diagnostic error.
#2 - A Second Opinion
One potential way to help after a possible misdiagnosis is to get a second opinion. A 2017 study determined that 21 percent of patients who received a second opinion walked away with a new diagnosis. Even more, 66% of those surveyed had a partially correct diagnosis, but the second opinion helped to refine or redefine the initial diagnosis.
#3 - Dangers of Misdiagnosis
While there are 12 million people who receive a misdiagnosis each year, between 40,000 and 80,000 cases suffer fatal complications because of these errors. These numbers show just how dangerous misdiagnosis can be when patients either get unnecessary treatment or don’t receive the treatment they need.
#4 - Cancer Misdiagnosis
Estimates show that around 10 to 20 percent of all cancer cases are misdiagnosed by medical professionals. Of the many fatal cases of misdiagnosis, a large majority involve cancer patients, including those with pancreatic cancer, leukemia, bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and more.
At Berthold Law Firm, PLLC, we’re well aware that many cases of misdiagnosis go unreported. These numbers could be much higher, and our Charleston medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you if you are impacted by a doctor’s misdiagnosis.
It’s our goal to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve after medical negligence. Let us help you through the process and hold the responsible party accountable. We’ll be by your side every step of the way.
Call us at (304) 605-2040 today and speak with a member of our team in a free consultation.