Failure to Diagnose

Failure to diagnose is a form of medical malpractice where the health care provider fails to take proper steps to determine the nature of the patient’s medical problem. The physician may completely fail to properly diagnose or detect an existing condition. When a misdiagnosis results in injury, or the unnecessary progression of a disease, the provider can be held liable for medical malpractice.

The most common misdiagnosis is cancer. Here is a list of different misdiagnoses:

  • Stroke
  • Sepsis
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Brain hemorrhage
  • Heart attack

One out of three malpractice cases result in death or permanent disability, according to a study by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. An estimated 40,000 to 80,000 deaths occur each year in U.S. hospitals each year due to misdiagnosis, and an estimated 12 million Americans suffer a diagnostic error each year—33% of which result in serious or permanent damage or death.

Gain Justice Following a Failure to Diagnose

A failure to diagnose can be costly and often leads to expensive medical bills, loss of work and suffering. We can help recoup the costs while providing justice and peace-of-mind. Schedule your no-obligation case evaluation at 865-522-4191, or you can email us to discuss your case with a medical malpractice lawyer in Knoxville.