We know that the holidays are just getting behind us, something you are probably thankful for right now. One thing that caught our attention was an article pointing out that going to the hospital in July, over the weekend, or during the holidays “can be riskier for patients because of factors such as medical, errors, understaffing or staff fatigue.”
Have you ever considered the time of the year you go to the hospital and how it affects the level of care you will receive?
At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we know that medical mistakes are more common than most people realize. We also know that staffing problems at medical facilities can lead to misdiagnosing patients at higher rates. This can be devastating for a person and their family.
When you need a Philadelphia failure to diagnose attorney, you can count on our qualified and experienced team to work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
The Reality
While most people think of surgical errors or a problem with medications when they think of medical mistakes, we know that a misdiagnosis can be the hardest to deal with. Researchers from Johns Hopkins found that diagnostic errors accounted for the most medical malpractice claims. They also caused the most patient harm and resulted in the highest level of penalty payouts.
A diagnostic error is “a diagnosis that is missed, wrong or delayed, as detected by some subsequent definitive test or finding.”
Since we know that medical errors kill an estimated 250,000 people a year and injure millions of others, we can be certain that diagnostic mistakes are also in the millions.
ER Rush
The story above discusses emergency room and hospital visits over the holidays for good reason. During that time, the ERs are even busier than usual and this is a time when many healthcare professionals are on vacation. The ones left are overworked and may not be able to perform their jobs properly.
What happens if a doctor or nurse fails to perform a full patient assessment?
What if they discharge someone too quickly?
Overworked and busy doctors and nurses are going to make more diagnostic errors.
We know that most medical mistakes are not intentional, but that does not mean the person responsible for the mistake should not be held accountable.
Your Next Steps
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a misdiagnosis and have been harmed, please seek legal assistance now. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we can guide you through the process of getting follow up treatment and expert advice while we pursue compensation from the person or group who caused you harm. We will work to ensure you are compensated for the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Lost income and benefits
- Punitive damages
When you need a Philadelphia failure to diagnose attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.
