An Overview of Misdiagnosis in Illinois Medical Malpractice Cases 

 Posted on August 10, 2021 in Medical Malpractice

Everyday people trust their physicians to provide them with proper medication, high-quality referrals, and accurate diagnoses. Unfortunately, medical professionals, including doctors, make mistakes, which can result in harmful consequences. When negligent behavior leads to a patient’s misdiagnosis that causes the patient harm, the patient may pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Causes and Consequences of a Misdiagnosis

A misdiagnosis from a medical professional can negatively impact someone’s health and ability to work. Non-existent, delayed, or inconclusive diagnoses often result in incorrect or delayed treatment, if there is any treatment at all. These improper or insufficient treatments have the potential to worsen the actual issues. If this misdiagnosis was caused by physician negligence, the misdiagnosis may lead to a malpractice claim.

Obviously, human error plays a large role in misdiagnosing patients, however, there are numerous other factors that could lead to an erroneous diagnosis, some of which include:

• The physician was not properly trained

• The medical professional failed to accurately read tests

• The lab results were compromised

Proving Negligence in Misdiagnosis Malpractice Claim

If substandard medical treatment results in patient harm, the liability could fall on the doctor, hospital, or other medical professionals. Victims of medical malpractice are eligible to recover a wide range of damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death of a family member.

Specifically for misdiagnosis-related malpractice cases, the victim must prove multiple elements. Patients who are harmed due to medical negligence must prove the existence of a legitimate patient-doctor relationship with supporting medical documentation. The victim must also prove that the medical professional’s actions or inactions caused their suffering. It is likely that you will need the supporting testimony of a medical expert to adequately prove medical negligence. Misdiagnosed patients may be entitled to compensation if they suffered damages like mental anguish, unnecessary and substantial medical expenses, and the inability to continue working.

It is highly recommended for misdiagnosis victims to familiarize themselves with mandated deadlines if they wish to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. The typical filing deadline for a malpractice claim regarding a medical professional’s negligent behavior in Illinois is two years.

Contact Our Rockford, IL Malpractice Lawyers

When a physician diagnoses their patients late, incorrectly, or fails to do so entirely, a patient can suffer severe long-term effects. If a medical professional’s negligence led to you or your loved one being misdiagnosed, you may be eligible for damages. The medical malpractice attorneys with Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, know how stressful and dangerous these misdiagnoses can be. We can help you hold the negligent party accountable and pursue compensation for your damages. To schedule your free consultation, contact our Winnebago County personal injury attorneys at 815-215-7561.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1309&ChapterID=24

https://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/advances/vol2/Schiff.pdf