Medical Misdiagnosis – How Common are Medical Misdiagnosis Errors?

Medical studies and reports often identify a medical diagnostic error rate of between 10-15% which applies to all medical settings, including hospitals, primary care, etc.

In the U.S. alone, the 10-15% medical misdiagnosis rate translates into 100-200 million errors per year. However, these errors are not always serious. According to a 2020 study, of roughly 1.3 billion healthcare visits annually, about 10 million medical diagnostic errors result in serious harm (death/disability). See Rate of diagnostic errors and serious misdiagnosis-related harms for major vascular events, infections, and cancers: toward a national incidence estimate using the “Big Three”, Diagnosis, May 2020.

According to the same study, in U.S. hospitals alone, there are about 80,000 serious events due to diagnostic errors.

List of the Most Serious Medical Diagnostic Errors

Misdiagnosis of certain diseases and illnesses almost always results in serious harm. The list of diseases and illnesses can be divided into vascular events, infections and cancers.

Misdiagnosed Vascular Events

Misdiagnosis is often fatal in cases of stroke, heart attack, serious blood clots (pulmonary, deep vein thrombosis) or aneurysm. When not fatal, the patient often suffers permanent, life-changing disabilities. For example, in a stroke misdiagnosis case, the patient may become physically disabled and unable to walk or use their arm.

Misdiagnosed Infections

Sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia and endocarditis (heart inflammation) are the most common infections that result in serious outcomes for patients. When left untreated, sepsis and meningitis are often fatal.

Misdiagnosed Cancer

Cancer misdiagnosis often leads to poor outcomes in cases involving lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer. Delay in diagnosis of cancer may result in death, extended medical treatment and reduced survival rates.

Medical Misdiagnosis in Pennsylvania – Legal Rights to Compensation

When medical mistakes lead to serious harm in Pennsylvania, the law allows the patient (and in the event of death, the patient’s surviving family members) to seek compensation against the negligent hospital or medical provider.

Compensation claims typically include pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and more.

Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette has been handling medical malpractice cases for decades. We’ve fought some of the largest hospitals in the area and won. Contact our law firm for a free consultation. (610) 825-0500