Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyers Inform on Failure to Diagnose
When a health care professional fails to take the proper steps to correctly diagnose a medical condition resulting in further injury or progression of a disease, it is commonly referred to as failure to diagnose, which is a type of medical malpractice. A failure to diagnose also includes misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis. It is the duty of a physician to recognize the signs and symptoms of various diseases and disorders, to know the risk factors that make it more likely for certain individuals to develop a specific medical condition, and to follow up and treat those risk factors. If a doctor cannot make a connection between symptoms and a specific illness, it is their duty to seek additional help from other specialized medical professionals. The failure to diagnose a medical condition can have serious long-term consequences including partial or total disability, undue pain and suffering, or even death. Medical malpractice lawyers at Messa & Associates have represented numerous victims of medical malpractice in the form of a physician’s delayed, missed, or failed diagnosis.
Other Common Cases Involving Failure to Diagnose or Misdiagnosis
The first step in receiving successful medical treatment is to get a quick, correct diagnosis. When an individual goes to a physician or other medical professional, they are relying on them to recognize and diagnose their symptoms in an accurate and timely manner so they can receive the proper treatment. In cases involving potentially fatal diseases, a timely diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death. An individual cannot quite be prepared when they discover that they have a medical condition that was not noticed or could have been prevented.
One of the most frequent types of cases in medical malpractice in the United States is the failure to diagnose cancer. Cancers can be missed when early detection tests are not administered or when test results are misread or misinterpreted. Failure to diagnose cancer or the misdiagnosis of symptoms is a medical mistake that can be devastating to patients and their families. A failure or a delay in the detection of cancer can allow the disease to progress, and even worsen a patient’s prognosis. Patients may also have to undergo more aggressive and painful treatments that may otherwise have not been necessary. The failure to diagnose cancer in the early stages is directly linked to a patient’s chance of survival.
Other common cases involving failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis include those involving diabetes, stroke, meningitis, heart attacks, and appendicitis.
Protecting Your Legal Rights in Medical Malpractice Claims Involving a Failure to Diagnose
When a medical provider’s failure to diagnose results in harm, a patient may decide to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. These types of medical malpractice cases tend to be very complex by nature and expensive to pursue. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when trying to prove negligence. Following through with a medical malpractice lawsuit against a doctor, hospital, or insurance company can help the victims and their families in terms of compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages. It is important for negligent healthcare providers to be held accountable for their mistakes.
Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey
If you think you have fallen victim to a healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis, or delay in diagnosis, it is imperative that you seek representation from an experienced and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney. The Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Messa & Associates have successfully litigated or settled countless medical malpractice cases, winning compensation into the millions of dollars for deserving clients. Our firm has medical experts as well as other resources available to assist us in answering all your questions, thoroughly reviewing your case, and advising you on the best course of action to pursue.
If you or a family member is the victim of a doctor’s malpractice or medical negligence leading to a failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of a serious illness and, as a result, you have suffered serious harm, contact the Philadelphia personal injury firm of Messa & Associates. We are a team of experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers who can take care of your complicated legal issues, protect your interests, and fight for your rights. We understand the undue stress that failure to diagnose claims put on victims and their families. Call, toll-free, at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.
