Doctors have a legal and ethical duty to provide medical treatment consistent with the relevant standard of care. They take patients’ symptoms and rule out conditions that they don’t have until they reach the proper diagnosis, a process that uses the differential diagnosis method. When healthcare providers do not provide medical care consistent with the standard of care, they can harm patients. Injured patients have a right to seek compensation when their doctors’ errors cause them harm.
If a negligent healthcare provider injured you, you may have a viable medical malpractice claim. An experienced Westchester failure to diagnose/misdiagnosis attorney from Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. can review your situation during a free consultation. Contact us today to get started.
Why Misdiagnoses and Delayed Diagnoses Occur
Medical providers are prone to making mistakes due to a lack of knowledge or experience dealing with the particular medical condition in question. They can be tired or overworked. Unfortunately, some healthcare providers turn to drugs and alcohol. Some mistakes are due to poor paperwork or systemic issues in the medical malpractice.
Actions or omissions that can lead to the wrong diagnosis can include:
- Dismissing a patient’s concerns
- Mistaking symptoms for another medical condition
- Failing to order appropriate tests
- Misinterpreting test results
- Failing to refer a patient to a specialist
- Confusing patients or patient files
- Failing to use proper protocols or procedures when conducting tests or completing physical exams
- Failing to order appropriate medical scans or blood tests
- Failing to perform a biopsy correctly or at all
- Misinterpreting diagnostic tests, such as CT scans or X-rays
- Failing to follow up on recommendations for additional testing
If you suspect that your healthcare provider has committed medical malpractice, contact Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette for a free case review.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Delayed or Missed Diagnosis?
Various healthcare providers can potentially be held liable for a missed diagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or misdiagnosis, such as:
- Primary care doctors who did not follow up on patient complaints or symptoms
- Radiologists who misread X-rays, mammograms, or MRIs
- Lab technicians who made errors during testing or reporting
- Oncologists who failed to address suspicious findings or dismissed biopsy results
- Nurse practitioners who failed to refer the patient to a specialist
- Hospitals responsible for the negligent actions of their staff
- Diagnostic imaging centers that failed to report findings
Our experienced legal team can review your claim and determine if you have a viable medical malpractice case.
What to Do If You Suspect Misdiagnosis
Your health is the top priority, so you should seek a second opinion from a qualified medical professional to ensure you have the correct diagnosis. Keep all of your medical records in an organized folder. Then, reach out to an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can handle your legal claim and seek maximum compensation on your behalf.
Seek Legal Assistance Today
A medical malpractice lawyer from Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C., can meticulously review your medical records and identify your legal rights. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Westchester failure to diagnose/misdiagnosis lawyer.