In 2016, when researchers from the famed Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine revealed that medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S., the media, the medical establishment, and the general public were stunned. The fact that medical mistakes occur was not a secret. But their prevalence and the extent to which they cause catastrophic or fatal harm were not yet widely understood.  

As this reality has been public knowledge for several years, it probably should not be surprising that researchers from the same institution recently revealed that emergency room misdiagnosis errors are made approximately 7.4 million times every year in the U.S. Yet, this news is, nevertheless, shocking.

What Is Going On?

After reviewing close to 300 medical studies released between 2000-2021, researchers determined that 2.6 million patients suffer preventable harm as a result of the more than 7 million emergency room diagnostic errors made annually. An additional 370,000 patients either die or suffer permanent disability as a result of these errors.

While medical malpractice cases are comparatively rare, they are common enough that they make up between 2 and 3 percent of annual healthcare spending and constitute around 60 billion dollars in payouts and legal expenses. The vast majority of these cases arise from preventable errors or mistakes and the effect on the person to whom the malpractice happens can be deeply physically and psychologically damaging. In some cases, medical malpractice can threaten or take a patient’s life. 

If you suffered or have a loved one who passed away in a medical malpractice incident, it is important to know that you may have legal options for recovering well-deserved compensation. And if you are not sure whether your case involves medical malpractice, understanding more about common malpractice cases and scheduling a free consultation with an attorney can help. 

Common Medical Malpractice Cases

Medical malpractice can range from the seemingly smallest actions - such as failing to obtain a patient’s blood type - to catastrophic mistakes with disastrous outcomes - such as amputating a limb on the wrong side of the body. The most extreme cases are statistical outliers, however, and most medical malpractice cases can be grouped into categories. The five most common types include: 

X-rays are crucial in diagnosing an illness. But despite advances in technology, error rates in radiology remain almost the same as they did back in 1949. New research found that radiologists are missing significant problems in about 30 percent of chest x-rays while looking for disease. Radiologist mistakes continue to happen and, in some instances, they can lead to irreversible damage. Responsible parties must be held accountable because injuries from a misread x-ray can lead to lifelong disabilities or even death.

X-Rays and Neurocognitive Flaws

Typically, x-ray technicians and doctors review the images to determine if there is a cause for concern. This is often the time when errors occur. In many cases, radiologists do not notice potential health problems leading to worsening health conditions for the patient.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Unfortunately, many colon cancers are not detected in time, and this is especially true among younger patients who are increasingly being misdiagnosed. The risk of getting colon cancer increases with age which is why it is so puzzling to be seeing so many younger people in advanced stages of this disease. This year, nearly 18,000 people in the United States under 50 years of age will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. If you had a colon cancer misdiagnosis or if treatment was not prompt, you may be entitled to compensation.

Missed Diagnosis

Colon cancer can be mistaken for many things. Oftentimes, a mass in the intestine develops and eventually becomes cancerous. Doctors may see a younger healthier person and dismiss cancer. The other problem is that colon cancer may appear to be a gastrointestinal issue, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, or Crohn’s disease when it in fact is something much more serious like colorectal cancer. More research is needed to understand exactly why this cancer is not being caught in time among younger people.

More studies have been done on people over 50 years old and have found that colorectal cancer has been linked to obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking. The American Cancer Society now recommends that adults beginning at age 45 start colon cancer screenings.

When you first learned that your child had cerebral palsy all you wanted to do is care for your baby day and night. But the required level of care day in and day out can be challenging and expensive. Medical negligence can lead to a lifetime of problems for both the child and the family.

Medical costs for children with cerebral palsy are 10 times higher compared to children without this disorder or other intellectual disabilities. If the realization of long-term financial expenses is setting in and you are considering filing a medical malpractice lawsuit you have to act quickly.

Statute of Limitations for Cerebral Palsy

Damage to the brain during childbirth or shortly afterward can result in cerebral palsy. It has a major impact on the child’s ability to move. So you must file a medical malpractice claim promptly.