A new study published in the journal BMJ Open has found that two specific types of medical errors are the most common causes of medical malpractice in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
The 2 Most Common Causes of Primary Care Malpractice and the Most Common Consequence
According to the study, the two most common types of medical errors that result in medical malpractice lawsuits include:
- Missed diagnoses. The most common missed diagnoses were cancer, heart attack and meningitis for adults and cancer and meningitis for children. The most common consequences of a missed medical diagnosis was the death of the patient.
- Medication or drug errors. This could include giving a patient the wrong drug, giving a patient the wrong dose of a drug, or failing to give a patient his or her required medication. Medication errors could result in fatalities.
Across the countries studied, primary care physicians were defendants in approximately 7.6% – 16% of all of the medical malpractice claims brought. Drug errors accounted for about 5.6 % – 20% of all medical malpractice cases against primary physicians. Not all medical malpractice cases brought against primary care doctors result in a settlement or payout.
Call a Kentucky Wrongful Death Lawyer If Your Loved One Has Been Killed
If your loved one has been killed by the negligent or deliberate actions of a Kentucky primary care doctor then it is important to call an experienced Kentucky wrongful death lawyer today for more information about your rights and possible legal recovery. Please call us today at 800.634.8767 or 502.210.8942 to schedule a FREE consultation.