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Correctly diagnosing a medical condition or health issue is one of the most critical aspects of competent and efficient medical care. A misdiagnosis occurs whenever a medical professional incorrectly diagnoses, delays, or fails to recognize a patient’s symptoms or potential issues stemming from them. Some misdiagnoses may be harmless, but others can have severe and long-lasting effects.
When you have experienced negative health consequences due to a misdiagnosis, a diligent failure to diagnose attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams can see if you may be entitled to compensation. Although no amount of money can make your health what it should have been if you received the proper care, a Philadelphia misdiagnosis medical malpractice lawyer can help you seek a fair financial recovery.
Common Causes of a Misdiagnosis
Every situation is unique and complex, and a misdiagnosis could result from several factors. However, some reasons why a misdiagnosis may occur include:
- Failing to test or screen for a medical condition
- Failing to consult or refer the patient to appropriate specialists
- Inaccurately interpreting or using pathology or radiology test results
- Not communicating with the rest of the patient’s treatment team or medical providers
- Not appropriately taking into account the patient’s description of their symptoms
Similarly, a misdiagnosis can happen for any variety of health problems, but certain conditions may be misdiagnosed more frequently than others, including:
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Aneurysms
- Heart attack
- Injuries or other problems at major joints
When a patient experiences any of these or similar situations, a Philadelphia lawyer with experience handling misdiagnoses can help the patient examine the facts and circumstances of their treatment to determine if medical malpractice occurred.
What To Do After a Misdiagnosis
When a patient believes that they have experienced an injury or worsening of an illness because of a misdiagnosis, several steps should be taken to maximize their chances of receiving the proper treatment and preserving any legal claim.
Consult Another Medical Professional
Seek a second opinion as soon as possible. Patients are not required to continue seeing the same doctor if they no longer trust them, but even if they do stay, receiving another opinion from an outside physician can help get the patient on the right track or confirm whether additional action is necessary.
If the new provider confirms that a misdiagnosis occurred, the patient should follow their new treatment plan as closely as possible. Delaying or deviating from the plan could deteriorate the patient’s health. Moreover, the patient’s failure to take the proper steps could be viewed as another cause of their health problems in addition to the misdiagnosis, potentially reducing the recovery available to the patient.
Gather Relevant Treatment Information
The patient should begin collecting, organizing, and storing all information related to their treatment and medical records. This may provide crucial evidence to support a claim of medical malpractice.
Get Help From a Lawyer
Once a misdiagnosis is confirmed, the patient should seek advice from a medical malpractice lawyer in Philadelphia as soon as possible. Even if a lawsuit is unnecessary, working with an attorney can help the patient understand their legal rights, their options, and the actions they should take to preserve and maximize their chances of recovering from their losses.
Consult a Philadelphia Attorney After a Medical Malpractice Misdiagnosis Today
Your health is one of the most valuable things you possess. When it deteriorates due to the negligence or carelessness of the person you trusted as a medical provider, you deserve compensation for your loss. An understanding attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams can help you identify whether medical malpractice occurred, advise you on the next steps, and help you hold the negligent parties legally and financially responsible for their actions.
Schedule an initial consultation with a Philadelphia misdiagnosis medical malpractice lawyer to learn more about your options.
