Failure to Diagnose and Misdiagnosis

When you consult a medical professional, you are trusting them to leverage their years of expertise to accurately identify the cause of your pain and suffering. Failure to diagnose and misdiagnosis are hardly on your mind when you walk into the doctor’s office.

Misdiagnosis can happen though, and in some cases, it may be an example of medical malpractice. It is important to protect yourself by knowing the potential consequences of misdiagnosis and how to respond in case of malpractice.

Consequences of misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis can be a life-threatening event. Studies show that as many as one-third of misdiagnosis cases can eventually lead to death or severe injury. Misunderstood symptoms could portend a chronic disease that may worsen over years to come if not treated properly.

When failure to diagnose could be medical negligence

Failing to correctly diagnose a medical issue could be an honest mistake in some cases. There are conditions that share extremely similar symptoms, and there are some symptoms that typically indicate a non-issue. However, if a misdiagnosis occurs due to a doctor failing to take all the proper steps and precautions, it is an example of medical negligence. As a patient, you should keep meticulous records of all interactions with medical personnel so that you can build a strong malpractice case in the event of such negligence.

If you become aware of a misdiagnosis, it is crucial that you take immediate steps to protect your health. You should also work toward pursuing compensation for this critical mistake so that you can receive proper treatment without further concern for your finances.