A failed diagnosis, erroneous diagnosis or misdiagnosis can spell devastation for victims and their families. In some cases, the faulty diagnosis can lead to medical treatments that lead to injury. In many cases, a misdiagnosis can mean the patient’s true condition goes untreated, sometimes progressing into something much worse.
Conditions that are easy to miss
A recent study revealed that medical conditions that are most commonly missed include colorectal cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. In addition to these three, heart attacks and prostate cancer make the top five medical conditions that are most commonly missed. Additional medical conditions that round out the top ten most commonly missed medical conditions include stroke, sepsis, bladder cancer, pulmonary embolism and brain hemorrhages.
Diagnostic errors
Diagnostic errors can result in worsened medical conditions and even death. A diagnostic error occurs when there is a failure to establish an accurate and timely explanation for the health problem the patient is complaining of. It can also include a failure to communicate the reason for the patient’s medical condition. A diagnostic error can be the result of a delayed diagnosis, wrong diagnosis or missed diagnosis. A failure to diagnose can be serious and may result in physical, financial and emotional damages for victims and their families.
In general, when there has been a diagnostic error, if the victim suffers from a worsened condition as a result, the negligent medical care provider may be liable for the harm suffered by the victim. These cases are technically difficult and require the help of an attorney with experience in medical malpractice claims. However, the harm to patients and their families is very real. It’s important for the injured and their families to understand their legal options for pursuing compensation.