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When you see a doctor, you expect them to find what is wrong with you quickly. A fast and right diagnosis can mean the difference between getting the right treatment and waiting too long. In Philadelphia, delays in diagnosis have hurt many patients. Some of these delays have changed lives, making recoveries harder, costing more time and money, or even leading to death.
This article will explain why getting a timely diagnosis matters, what delays look like, and how real cases show the impact of slow care.
A timely diagnosis means a health condition is identified soon enough that treatment can start before the condition gets worse. Medical professionals are expected to recognize symptoms, order the right tests, and follow up as needed. A diagnosis that happens too late may be called a delayed diagnosis. Not all delays are malpractice, but some are preventable and can cause harm.
Here are clear reasons why diagnosing early is important.
Many conditions get worse the longer they go untreated. For example, cancer that is found early often has more treatment options and better odds of recovery. When cancer diagnosis is delayed, the disease can spread and become harder to treat.
Conditions like heart disease, stroke, and serious infections need quick care. A delay may allow the problem to worsen or cause permanent injury. In some Philadelphia medical malpractice cases, strokes were not caught early, and patients suffered lasting brain damage.
When a disease progresses before it is diagnosed, treatment may require more complex care. A condition that was once manageable may become more serious and harder to control. This puts more strain on the patient and family.
Here are common ways delays occur in medical care.
Some symptoms may look mild or like a common issue. If a provider does not explore them, a serious condition can be missed. For example, lung cancer symptoms are sometimes mistaken for bronchitis, leading to delayed diagnosis.
Even when symptoms point to a serious condition, tests may not be ordered soon. If a test is delayed, the diagnosis is delayed too. Sometimes, results are not followed up on or understood correctly.
When test results show something unexpected, timely action is needed. If a doctor does not respond to abnormal results, conditions can worsen before someone investigates again.
When doctors do not share information or follow up together, a diagnosis can slip through the cracks, even if one provider notices a warning sign.
A real case from the Pennsylvania area shows how dangerous a delayed diagnosis can be. A man went to the hospital with neck pain and tingling in his arm, signs of a serious infection. Doctors ordered an MRI but told him he did not have an abscess. That diagnosis was wrong.
He did have a cervical abscess, a serious spinal infection that needed fast treatment. Because the diagnosis was delayed, the infection spread. By the time surgery was done, the damage was permanent. The man became paralyzed and required long-term care.
A jury later awarded $12.5 million to the man and his wife. The case shows how even a short delay in diagnosing a serious condition can lead to life-changing harm.
When a delay causes harm, the effects can show up in many ways.
Patients who are diagnosed late may need more tests, longer hospital stays, or more treatments, which can cost more money and time.
Time out of work for more care can lead to lost wages and financial stress.
Living with a worsened condition or facing serious health setbacks can be emotionally hard. Patients and families may deal with fear, anxiety, or uncertainty.
Not every delay is malpractice. But a delay may have caused harm if:
Legal cases often review medical records to see if a timely diagnosis would have changed outcomes.
Here are steps you can take if you think a diagnosis came too late.
Don’t be afraid to ask why tests were not ordered or what signs they are looking for.
Your medical chart shows when tests were done and what was found.
Another doctor may see things differently and catch what was missed.
Keep a simple timeline of symptoms and visits so you can share it with your care team.
If a delay has hurt you, you may want to talk with a Philadelphia delayed diagnosis lawyer to learn about your legal rights.
Delayed diagnosis can have real consequences in life and health. You do not have to figure it out on your own. Contact Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. to talk through what happened and learn about your next steps. Getting clear information may help you make choices that protect your health and future.
LOWENTHAL AND ABRAMS, P.C.
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