Because few of us have the extensive medical training and experience of physicians, we have to place our lives in the hands of doctors and other medical providers during an illness, medical emergency, or after suffering an injury. Unfortunately, sometimes a doctor makes a mistake or acts carelessly, misdiagnosing a condition as something other than what it truly is.
Medical misdiagnosis claims are one of the most common types of serious medical malpractice claims in Addison and elsewhere, sometimes causing serious harm to a patient.
What Are the Common Causes of Medical Misdiagnosis Lawsuits In Addison?
A misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor’s assessment results in the wrong diagnosis. This can delay appropriate treatment, potentially causing permanent harm. It also often means the patient receives unnecessary treatment for a condition they don’t have.
The most common causes of medical misdiagnosis claims in Addison and elsewhere in Texas include the following:
- Failing to accurately assess a patient
- Not spending enough time with a patient
- Failing to obtain a complete medical history
- Failing to order the appropriate diagnostic tests
- Misinterpreting test results
- Having a preconceived idea of a diagnosis and failing to consider other causes of the symptoms (confirmation bias)
- Focusing on a single symptom and an initial impression of the condition, and ignoring contradictory evidence (anchoring bias)
When a medical provider misdiagnoses a patient, the results can be serious or even deadly harm to the patient.
What Are the Most Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions?
Some illnesses present with vague symptoms or those that mimic other conditions. Still, medical providers must accurately assess all aspects of the patient’s condition to reach the correct diagnosis and begin prompt, appropriate treatment. The most commonly misdiagnosed conditions include:
- Cancer
- Heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems
- Strokes
- Appendicitis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lyme Disease
A delay in treatment due to a misdiagnosis can greatly exacerbate the problem. For instance, cancer is treatable and curable in its earliest stages, but once it has metastasized to the lymph nodes in stage II, it requires far more aggressive and extensive treatment. In stages three and four, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, often causing terminal illness.
Proving Liability in a Medical Malpractice Claim for Misdiagnosis
Most personal injury claims center on the general duty of reasonable care we all owe to others, but medical professionals are held to higher standards. Proving a medical malpractice claim for misdiagnosis requires evidence demonstrating the following:
- A doctor/patient relationship was in place when the malpractice occurred
- The doctor owed a duty of care to treat the patient at the medical community’s acceptable standard
- They breached this duty through negligence
- The breach of duty directly caused an injury or a worsened medical outcome
Evidence in misdiagnosis cases includes the medical report and the physician’s notes, a medical report from a trusted physician after the malpractice, eyewitness testimony, and testimony from medical experts.
What Can I Get From a Misdiagnosis Medical Malpractice Claim?
No two cases have the same results, but a carefully navigated claim recovers the maximum compensation available for your damages. Common damages recovered in Texas medical malpractice claims include the following:
- Past and future medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs
- Past and future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
Additional compensation is available for those who suffered catastrophic injuries with permanent damage, such as loss of limb, loss of one of the senses, organ loss, permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability. If a misdiagnosis caused the death of a loved one, a wrongful death medical malpractice claim recovers compensation for the family’s losses.
Contact GreeningLaw, P.C. For Representation
Doctors and their insurance companies often dispute medical malpractice claims. A strong, evidence-backed claim is the best way to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome. Call or contact GreeningLaw, P.C. online for experienced legal representation throughout the process.