There are thousands of committed health care providers in Texas. While they work tirelessly to provide appropriate care for their patients, doctor errors -- including an incorrect diagnosis -- can have devastating consequences. Unfortunately, some professionals claim that such mistakes may be difficult to identify.
Some people argue that it is relatively simple to identify how certain errors occur, such as a sponge left inside a patient during a surgery or an incorrect prescription. A misdiagnosis is often more difficult to quantify because much of the process is cognitive. However, it is an issue that deserves additional attention. Some statistics indicate that anywhere from 5 to 15 percent of diagnoses are incorrect.
There are a variety of reasons why these incorrect diagnoses occur, and the issue is starting to receive more attention in the medical community. Sometimes, these mistakes occur due to a doctor's bias. For example, a doctor may already suspect that a patient is suffering from a specific malady. As a result, he or she only looks for evidence that supports those suspicions, overlooking or disregarding evidence that refutes them.
Unfortunately, these doctor errors can have potentially devastating consequences, including the death of a patient. While victims and their family members have the option of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, these mistakes are often difficult for people to document. Fortunately, those in Texas can turn to an experienced attorney who will likely work with those in the medical profession to help identify a misdiagnosis. If negligence can be proved in court, plaintiffs may be entitled to an award of damages. By taking legal action, other patients may be protected from similar harm. Consultation service from the Maloney attorneys is free. Contact us today to get started.
Source: startribune.com, "Misdiagnoses are getting a closer look with help of local doctor", Jeremy Olson, Aug. 30, 2015
