Medical Malpractice Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis

A doctor is trusted to understand multiple diseases and conditions in order to provide the appropriate treatments. Failure to properly diagnose a patient’s problem can lead to delayed or improper treatment, serious injury and, even, death. Misdiagnosis is one of the most prominent forms of malpractice in the medical world today. 30-40% of malpractice deaths are caused by misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose.

Due to elevated stress in a high-pressure work environment, Emergency room misdiagnoses lead to thousands of injuries and deaths per year. Emergency room misdiagnoses consist of 10% of all medical malpractice cases each year.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to a misdiagnosis, please contact our offices. Our skilled medical malpractice attorneys are ready to help evaluate your case and enable you to seek compensation for your loss and suffering.

Heart attacks and irritable bowel syndrome are some of the most common types of misdiagnoses. A misdiagnosis can occur when a healthy patient is incorrectly told they have a condition; or when a patient with a condition is told they have the wrong condition, or that they are healthy. Misdiagnosis is frequently involved with the following medical conditions:

• Appendicitis
• Cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Throat cancer
  • And more…
• Complications from other conditions
• Diabetes
• Lyme Disease
• Psychological conditions
  • ADHD
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • And more…
• Tuberculosis
• And more…

There are multiple reasons for a misdiagnosis to occur, including insurance unwillingness to pay for proper testing; doctor negligence; or carelessness/poor communication between a patient and a doctor. Other common reasons for misdiagnosis include:

• A Misreading of test results
• An insufficient medical-background check of the patient
• Failure to identify an underlying disease
• Failure to identify all symptoms
• Failure to order proper medical exams
• Faulty/inaccurate medical tests
• Lack of follow up with the patient
• And more…

Misdiagnosis can be devastating to the patient and their families. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to:

• Adverse side effects caused by treatment for the wrong condition
• Delay in treatment for the actual condition being suffered
• Emotional and physical pain and suffering
• Extensive and unnecessarily high medical bills
• Loss of wages
• Serious injury or illness
• Unnecessary surgery, medication or radiation
• Death

If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed, you may be eligible to compensation for your losses and suffering. Whether intentional or not, medical professionals who have acted carelessly or negligently can be held accountable for injuries accrued due to their treatment.

Medical malpractice is subject to a statute of limitations that varies from state to state, so please seek help immediately if you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed. We work nationwide, so we can help you, whether you live in California, Maine, Florida, Washington, or anywhere in between. At the Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald Law Firm, we seek to ensure all your legal rights are fully protected, so contact our experienced medical malpractice attorneys today to schedule an appointment.