What Is a ‘Diagnostic Error’?

Most of us trust doctors to provide quality care—but what if they miss something critical? Diagnostic errors aren’t daily occurrences, but they’re more common than you’d think. These mistakes can lead to severe complications, making them a key focus for Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys.

At Lopez McHugh LLP, we fight for patients harmed by negligent care. Let’s break down how diagnostic errors happen—and why they demand legal action.

Understanding Diagnostic Errors

A diagnostic error occurs when a healthcare provider fails to accurately identify a condition. Common types include:

• Missed diagnoses: Overlooking a condition entirely.
• Delayed diagnoses: Identifying the issue too late.
• Misdiagnoses: Mistaking one condition for another.

While some errors cause minimal harm, others lead to irreversible damage or death. Johns Hopkins Medicine estimates 795,000 annual U.S. deaths stem from diagnostic mistakes. Cancer, infections, and vascular events account for over half of these errors, per PubMed research.

For example, a delayed cancer diagnosis can slash survival rates. If negligence caused your suffering, a medical malpractice lawyer can help you recover losses.

Why Do Physicians Make Diagnostic Errors?

• Overworked Healthcare Providers

Doctors often juggle heavy workloads and administrative tasks. This can lead to rushed appointments and overlooked symptoms. When physicians skip detailed medical histories, critical clues slip through the cracks.

• Overconfidence in Expertise

Some doctors dismiss patient concerns due to ego or assumptions. A cardiologist might ignore non-chest-pain heart attack symptoms in women, delaying life-saving care.

• Fragmented Medical Records

With patients seeing multiple specialists, records often scatter across systems. Missing test results or past treatments increase misdiagnosis risks.

• Patient Barriers

Language gaps, limited health literacy, or lack of follow-up access can hinder accurate diagnoses. However, providers must address these challenges—not blame patients.

The Silent Crisis: Bias in Diagnostic Errors

• Racial Disparities

Studies show Black patients are 40% less likely to receive diagnostic testing for chest pain or abdominal issues than white patients (JAMA, 2024). This systemic bias leads to worse outcomes for minorities.

• Gender Gaps

Women wait 2.5 years longer on average for autoimmune disease diagnoses than men. Symptoms like fatigue or pain are often dismissed as “anxiety” rather than investigated.

• Age and Socioeconomic Bias

Elderly or low-income patients face higher rates of misdiagnosis. Stereotypes about “aging” or “non-compliance” overshadow legitimate medical concerns.

Was Your Diagnosis Negligent? 3 Steps to Find Out

1. Track Your Harm: Did the error worsen your condition? For instance, a delayed cancer diagnosis could mean Stage I vs. Stage IV treatment.
2. Get a Second Opinion: An independent specialist can review your case for red flags.
3. Consult a skilled Medical Malpractice Lawyer: Prove your provider deviated from the standard of care—what a competent doctor would’ve done.

Example: A Philadelphia woman’s Lyme disease was misdiagnosed as arthritis for months. We secured $1.2M to cover her paralysis treatment.

Why Legal Action Matters

Diagnostic errors aren’t just medical failures—they’re breaches of trust. Compensation can cover:

• Medical bills for corrective treatments
• Lost wages from prolonged illness
• Pain and suffering due to avoidable harm

Pennsylvania medical malpractice law allows full recovery. Let us maximize your claim.

Lopez McHugh LLP: Your Advocates Against Medical Negligence

With 50+ years of combined experience, we’ve recovered millions for diagnostic error victims. Here’s how we fight:

• Partner with medical experts to dissect your care.
• Expose biased or rushed decision-making.
• Negotiate aggressively—or take providers to trial.

Free case review: Call 215-555-1000 or visit our Philadelphia office. You pay nothing unless we win.

Don’t Let a Diagnostic Error Define Your Future

Misdiagnoses steal time, health, and peace of mind. If you suspect negligence, act now—Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations gives you two years to file.

You deserve justice. Let Lopez McHugh LLP turn the system in your favor.