Unfortunately, misdiagnosis, delays in treatment, or failure to diagnose happen daily in the medical field, often with life-threatening consequences.
When you go to the doctor, you expect a timely and accurate diagnosis of your condition. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis, delays in treatment, or failure to diagnose happen daily in the medical field, often with life-threatening consequences. Each year, there are millions of misdiagnosis cases in the United States. Many medical malpractice lawsuits stem from a doctor misdiagnosing a patient’s condition. But what should you do if you believe you’ve been misdiagnosed? Getting educated about misdiagnoses is the first step. Keep reading to learn about some commonly misdiagnosed medical conditions.
What is Misdiagnosis?
A misdiagnosis is a form of medical malpractice where a medical professional incorrectly diagnoses an illness or disease, leading to incorrect treatments. For example, a doctor may diagnose a patient’s chest pains as a symptom of indigestion, not recognizing the signs of a potential stroke. A misdiagnosis of your illness may:
- Worsen your condition
• Delay proper treatment
• Cause more harm or even result in death
Misdiagnosis also applies when your doctor fails to diagnose you at all, assuring you that you are healthy.
What are Some Common Misdiagnosed Illnesses?
Heart Attack and Stroke
Heart attacks and strokes are some of the most common misdiagnosed medical conditions. When treating younger people, doctors often dismiss complaints as something minor because these patients don’t fit the usual criteria. The early warning signs that point to a stroke or heart attack share the same symptoms as less serious medical conditions. Some doctors try to pass symptoms as indigestion. However, heart attacks and strokes occur more often than people realize. According to the CDC, 805,000 people sustain a heart attack across the country each year.
Cancer
Cancer is a commonly misdiagnosed condition since it often shows few or no symptoms for years. In many cases, cancers share symptoms of other minor conditions. For instance, a new mole may be harmless but could also be a sign of skin cancer. A doctor needs to thoroughly examine your medical history and order the necessary tests to arrive at a correct diagnosis.
Failure to Diagnose Fetal Distress During Labor
Medical professionals have a responsibility to both recognize and respond to fetal distress. In most cases, the only way to diagnose fetal distress is by birthing the baby, typically by C-section, as vaginal birth could lead to more complications. When doctors fail to do this, it can lead to devastating injuries to the infant and mother, including oxygen deprivation, brain damage, cerebral palsy, or maternal hemorrhaging.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, or call us at 410-843-3476, for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.