Diagnostic errors, meaning a missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnosis, are one of the most common and best-documented categories of preventable medical harm in the United States. A 2023 peer-reviewed study in BMJ Quality & Safety estimated that roughly 795,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled each year because of diagnostic error across outpatient, emergency, and hospital settings.
Diagnostic errors can cause serious harm by delaying treatment as a condition progresses, allowing a disease or injury to advance beyond the point where earlier, less invasive treatment would have been effective.
You won't see McMath Woods P.A. on a billboard or in a TV commercial. For more than 70 years, the firm has represented Arkansans in medical malpractice cases, including claims involving misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and hospital negligence. Medical malpractice attorneys such as Will Bond and David W. Wells bring direct experience to these cases. Because the firm intentionally limits its caseload, clients work closely with their attorneys rather than a case manager.
This article breaks down why diagnostic errors are so dangerous, what commonly causes them, and what to do if you suspect one affected your care or a loved one's.
What Is a Diagnostic Error?
A diagnostic error occurs when a healthcare provider fails to correctly and timely identify a patient's medical condition. This can take several forms:
- A missed diagnosis, where a condition is present but never identified;
- A delayed diagnosis, where the correct diagnosis eventually occurs, but only after harmful delay;
- A misdiagnosis, where a patient is incorrectly diagnosed with a different condition; or
- A failure to communicate a diagnosis or abnormal test result to the patient or another treating provider.
How Common Are Diagnostic Errors?
Diagnostic errors are far more common than many patients realize. According to the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence, researchers analyzed national hospital, emergency department, and outpatient data. They found that an estimated 795,000 Americans experience death or permanent disability from diagnostic error annually. That harm is concentrated heavily among:
- Vascular events, such as stroke and heart attack;
- Infections, such as sepsis; and
- Cancers, including lung cancer.
The same peer-reviewed study published in BMJ Quality & Safety has noted that the total number of diagnostic errors, including those that do not result in serious harm, is likely far higher.
The Serious Harm Diagnostic Errors Can Cause
Diagnostic errors are especially dangerous because the underlying condition often continues to progress while the correct diagnosis is delayed. A missed or delayed diagnosis can lead to:
- A disease advancing to a later, harder-to-treat stage;
- The need for more invasive, more expensive, or more prolonged treatment;
- Additional pain, complications, or permanent injury that earlier treatment may have prevented; and
- In serious cases, death.
For conditions like stroke, sepsis, heart attack, and certain cancers, even a short delay in diagnosis can significantly change a patient's treatment options and outcome.
What Commonly Causes Diagnostic Errors?
Diagnostic errors typically result from a breakdown somewhere in the diagnostic process, including:
- Failure to order appropriate tests or imaging based on a patient's symptoms and history;
- Misinterpretation of test results, imaging studies, or pathology reports;
- Failure to follow up on an abnormal test result;
- Poor communication between treating providers, specialists, and hospital staff; and
- Cognitive bias, such as anchoring on an initial diagnosis and failing to reconsider it as new information emerges.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Diagnostic Error?
If you believe a delayed or incorrect diagnosis caused you or a loved one harm, it helps to:
- Request complete copies of your medical records, including imaging and lab results
- Write down a timeline of symptoms, appointments, and communications with providers
- Seek a second medical opinion if you have ongoing concerns about your diagnosis or treatment
- Speak with a medical malpractice attorney promptly, since Arkansas medical injury claims are generally subject to a two-year filing deadline under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-114-203
What an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Do for Your Misdiagnosis Claim
If you believe a missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnosis caused you or a loved one serious harm, you don't have to sort out what went wrong on your own. McMath Woods P.A. has represented Arkansans in medical malpractice cases for more than 70 years, including claims involving misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay, and medical malpractice attorneys.
Because the firm intentionally limits its caseload, you work closely with your attorney rather than a case manager. Our attorneys can review your medical records, consult with the right experts, and help you understand what compensation may be available. Contact McMath Woods P.A. today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
