NOTE: Our law firm does not handle medical malpractice cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.
A failure to diagnose a condition can have catastrophic consequences for a patient. The patient may not receive the correct treatment for the condition, which could cause permanent impairment or wrongful death.
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How Often Do Doctors Fail to Diagnose a Condition?
Diagnostic errors are some of the most common types of medical malpractice cases. Errors in diagnosing patients are the most frequent negligence claim in emergency care, but it is also a serious problem in primary health care.
Researchers at John Hopkins have suggested that diagnostic errors are more common, harmful, and costly than surgical errors and medication overdoses. The leader of the study claimed that diagnostic errors could be the “biggest patient safety” problem in the United States.
Why Do Doctors Fail to Diagnose Conditions?
There are many reasons why a doctor may fail to diagnose a condition. Common causes of failure to diagnose include, but are not limited to:
- Not reviewing the patient’s medical history and risk factors
- Failing to listen to or consider a patient’s reported symptoms
- Rushing through examinations and appointments
- Failure to order laboratory tests and imaging tests
- Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to develop a differential diagnosis list
- Misinterpreting lab results and imagining results
- Not referring patients to specialists or failing to consult specialists
The consequences of failing to diagnose a condition include cancer misdiagnosis, birth injury, brain damage, stroke, heart attacks, amputations, and nerve damage. The result could be a permanent disability or wrongful death.
Patients who are not diagnosed correctly may not receive the medication or treatment they need for their condition. In a misdiagnosis case, the patient could even receive the incorrect treatment! The potential for patient harm is virtually endless when a doctor makes an error in diagnosing a medical condition.
Can I Sue My Doctor for Damages Caused by a Failure to Diagnose in Baltimore?
A doctor is required to provide care that meets or exceeds the acceptable standard of care for a specific situation. The standard of care is based on what other doctors would have done in the same or similar situation.
If your doctor’s conduct falls short of the standard of care, you could be entitled to compensation for damages. Damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Personal care
- Loss of income
- Disabilities and impairments
- Ongoing medical and personal care
- Reduced future earning potential
- Reduction in quality of life
You have the burden of proving that your doctor was negligent. You will have to show they breached their duty of care and caused your injury and damages. If you cannot prove that the doctor’s conduct caused your injury, you cannot prove medical malpractice.
There are deadlines for filing malpractice claims in Maryland. You have five years from the date of the malpractice or three years from the date you discover your injuries to file your claim, whichever is earlier. Do not delay seeking legal advice about your claim, or you could lose your right to compensation for injuries.
Failing to diagnose a condition can be dangerous and life-threatening for a patient. It can cause permanent and even fatal injuries that might have been avoidable with a correct diagnosis. If you sustained harm because of your doctor’s negligent acts, you deserve compensation for your damages.
If you believe you have a medical malpractice claim, call us. We can refer you to a lawyer who handles these cases.