Understanding Diagnosis-Related Medical Malpractice
Posted in Medical Malpractice on December 2, 2022
When we go to the doctor, we place a great deal of trust in the physicians who treat us. We trust that these professionals will assess and evaluate our symptoms in a comprehensive, competent way. We also trust that they will take the necessary steps to accurately diagnose our injury or illness. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Diagnosis-related medical errors are some of the most common forms of medical malpractice. Many physicians make critical errors when diagnosing conditions like cancer, heart attacks, broken bones, and more. If you have experienced diagnosis-related malpractice, you may be eligible for legal action.
When Is a Diagnostic Error Medical Malpractice?
When a patient visits a doctor, that doctor has a duty to uphold the medical standard of care. This means that the physician must act in a way that a similarly trained and reasonably careful doctor would in the same circumstances. If a doctor deviates from this standard and makes a diagnostic error that harms a patient, he or she commits an act of medical malpractice.
Not all diagnostic errors rise to the level of malpractice, however. If a patient presents symptoms that another doctor would easily mistake for another condition, the at-fault provider could reasonably argue that he or she adhered to the standard of care. It is critical to consult with an attorney to determine whether the diagnostic error constitutes medical malpractice.
Common Examples of Diagnostic Errors
There are many types of diagnostic errors that could lead to medical malpractice. Below are a few of the most common examples:
- Failure to Order Proper Tests: Doctors use a wide range of diagnostic tests to assess symptoms and identify medical conditions. If a doctor fails to order the right tests while diagnosing a patient, he or she could commit a diagnostic error.
- Failure to Review Patient History: A patient’s medical history is a critical component of the diagnostic process. If a doctor fails to review these records, he or she will not have a clear picture of the patient’s health and potential complications.
- Failure to Correctly Interpret Test Results: A doctor can misread or ignore laboratory test results and fail to catch a critical sign of a medical condition. These actions could easily lead to a misdiagnosis.
- Failure to Communicate with a Patient: A doctor may fail to ask thorough questions about a patient’s symptoms or ignore the patient altogether. When a doctor fails to communicate with a patient, misdiagnoses can occur.
What to Do If You Have Experienced Diagnosis-Related Malpractice
Receiving the wrong diagnosis can be a scary and painful experience. You could suffer from a worsening medical condition and develop a more serious prognosis than you would have otherwise received. You can develop potentially life-threatening complications that could have a major impact on your daily life. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
First, seek medical care to treat any complications associated with the malpractice. Gather as much evidence related to the malpractice as possible, such as your medical records and the names of any people who may have witnessed the incident. Then, contact a Kansas City medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your legal options.
An attorney can help you hold the at-fault medical professional accountable and recover financial compensation to pay for your losses. As soon as possible after the malpractice, contact a lawyer to plan your next steps.