It is part of human nature to make mistakes; they happen often and to all of us. Unfortunately, sometimes our mistakes can have life-threatening effects on another person. When a doctor makes a mistake, oftentimes it is one that cannot be fixed.
When a doctor’s medical diagnostic error results in further suffering or death, that mistake is considered malpractice. Diagnostic errors can come in many forms and severities. The three most common diagnostic errors are misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and delayed diagnosis.
Misdiagnosis
A misdiagnosis means that a doctor gave a diagnosis and began treatment, but the diagnosis was wrong. The actual illness was not diagnosed and went untreated, leading to a worsening of the condition or death.
Missed Diagnosis
Instead of starting treatment for the wrong condition, a missed diagnosis means there was no treatment at all because the doctor failed to find anything to treat. The condition was ignored, the patient was given a clean bill of health, and the condition later worsened as a result.
Delayed Diagnosis
In a case of delayed diagnosis, a patient may see a doctor about a condition or illness when they first feel symptoms, but the doctor does not discover the cause of the symptoms until it is too late to be successfully treated.
What to Do If You Suspect a Diagnostic Error
If a doctor made a medical diagnostic error that led to the worsening of a condition or death for you or a loved one, you may be due financial compensation. Don’t hesitate. Consult an attorney to see if you have a case.
We at Hyatt & Weber handle many cases of medical diagnostic errors and will make it our mission to get you the compensation that you deserve. Contact our office at (410) 384-4316 to learn more about how we can help.
