Doctors are responsible for carefully evaluating patient symptoms, ordering appropriate tests, and reaching an accurate diagnosis within a reasonable time. When a physician fails to recognize a serious medical condition, the delay can allow the illness to progress and become far more difficult to treat.
In some cases, these diagnostic failures may form the basis of a Philadelphia medical malpractice claim under Pennsylvania law.
Missed and Delayed Diagnosis Are a Form of Medical Malpractice
Not every diagnostic error automatically qualifies as medical malpractice. However, a missed diagnosis or delayed diagnosis may become malpractice when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care.
The standard of care generally refers to the level of skill, attention, and medical judgment that a reasonably competent doctor would use under similar circumstances. When a physician ignores warning signs, fails to order appropriate tests, or misinterprets diagnostic results, they may fall below this standard.
Examples of conduct that may fall below the standard of care include:
- Failing to order appropriate diagnostic tests
- Ignoring abnormal test results
- Misreading imaging scans or laboratory findings
- Failing to refer a patient to a specialist
- Dismissing symptoms that indicate a serious condition
Certain medical conditions are more frequently involved in delayed or missed diagnosis cases. These include:
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Heart attacks
- Pulmonary embolisms
- Infections such as sepsis
- Neurological disorders
The symptoms of these conditions can resemble other illnesses or require specialized testing, making them more susceptible to diagnostic errors. These errors, sadly, can lead to worse health outcomes and even wrongful death.
You May Have the Right to Seek Compensation Related to Your Condition
If a doctor’s failure to diagnose your condition, Pennsylvania law may allow you to pursue compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. A medical malpractice claim can help you recover damages for the financial and personal losses you’ve suffered.
A missed diagnosis case may include damages such as:
- Medical expenses for treatment related to the delayed diagnosis
- Future medical care required because the condition worsened
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced future earning capacity if the illness causes long-term limitations
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some situations, a delayed diagnosis may result in a wrongful death claim with additional damages for funeral expenses and loss of companionship and financial support.
A Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help You Protect Your Rights
Determining whether a doctor violated the medical standard of care is no easy feat. It requires sophisticated analysis of medical records, diagnostic tests, and treatment decisions related to your condition. It also requires coordination with experts who can evaluate whether your provider’s conduct fell below the standard of care.
An experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer can handle these and all other aspects of your case. If you believe a doctor failed to diagnose your condition, you may have rights. Contact Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.