Have You Suffered Due to a Misdiagnosis?

 Posted on January 22, 2020 in Medical Malpractice

When medical symptoms interfere with our ability to go about our lives normally, we go to the doctor to receive a diagnosis and treatment. Although no one expects doctors to instantly know exactly what is wrong, we generally trust that when we receive a diagnosis, it is the correct diagnosis. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is common. According to one study, a shocking 12 million adults are misdiagnosed every year in the United States. Being misdiagnosed can cause a person to suffer through unneeded or even harmful medical procedures and medication regimens all while missing out on the treatment that is actually needed. If you have received an inaccurate diagnosis from a doctor, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim.

Commonly Misdiagnosed Medical Concerns

It is estimated that one out of every 20 patients who receive a medical diagnosis at a hospital, outpatient clinic, or doctor’s office receives an inaccurate diagnosis. Research shows that about one half of these misdiagnoses have the potential to cause severe harm to the patient. Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed medical conditions include:

• Cancer including breast cancer, lymphoma, sarcomas and melanoma
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Pulmonary embolism
• Thyroid disease
• Depression
• Celiac Disease

Consequences of a Misdiagnosis

One of the most serious concerns when a patient receives a misdiagnosis is that he or she will be subject to unnecessary medical treatments. Some medical treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, are extremely hard on the body. Certain medications can also have an extremely adverse effect on the body if the person receiving the medication does not actually have the condition the medication is designed to treat. In addition to receiving superfluous treatments, a misdiagnosed person may not receive the treatment he or she actually needs which can cause the condition to worsen. The medical bills associated with these unneeded treatments can cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.

Not every misdiagnosis is grounds for a medical malpractice claim. The human body is infinitely complex, and many illnesses and conditions present with similar symptoms. In some cases, however, a misdiagnosis is the result of professional negligence by a doctor or hospital system who failed to uphold the prevailing standard of care. If this describes your situation, you could be eligible to collect compensation for the harm caused by the misdiagnosis. Though a medical malpractice claim, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills such as surgery costs, prescription medication costs, and costs associated with a hospital stay, as well as compensation for you pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.

Contact a Winnebago Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Doctors have a legal duty to provide competent medical care to patients. When a doctor makes a serious error that causes a patient harm, this may be considered medical negligence. To learn more about collecting compensation after being a victim of misdiagnosis, contact Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, today. Call our office at 815-215-7561 and schedule a consultation with an accomplished Rockford personal injury attorney to discuss your case.

Sources:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/commonly-misdiagnosed-conditions/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/12-million-americans-misdiagnosed-each-year-study-says/