Failure to diagnose--fractures.

'Failure to diagnose' claims are the most common cause of medical negligence claims in general practice. This article examines a claim involving a failure to diagnose a fracture and outlines some risk management strategies for general practitioners to minimise the possibility of a claim arising from a failure to diagnose orthopaedic problems. Case histories are based on actual medical negligence claims, however, certain facts have been omitted or changed by the author to ensure the anonymity of the parties involved.