The right medical treatment at the right time can make a difference between life and death for patients. Conversely, failure to diagnose can be dangerous, particularly if the condition is serious and late diagnosis only magnifies its effects. Misdiagnosis is an equally major mistake that a practitioner can make. Proper diagnosis is the right of the patient and obligation of the doctor whom the patient trusts to treat them. And if you or a loved one happens to suffer dire consequences due to misdiagnosis, you can claim compensation in the name of medical malpractice. Here are some serious conditions that often tend to go undetected or misdiagnosed.
Cancer
One of the deadliest diseases in modern times, cancer is often treatable if detected at early stages. However, the consequences can be life-threatening in case of a failure to diagnose and initiate the treatment well in time. This usually happens when doctors fail to notice anomalies in an X-ray, scan, or mammogram. Similarly, ignoring information in a blood test is another reason for misdiagnosis. The patient can definitely hold the practitioner responsible if the latter fails to detect cancer by failing to listening to them, not paying attention to their symptoms or not ordering further testing for confirming a suspected abnormality.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the common yet serious conditions that often go undetected until it is too late. The symptoms may be mild or even absent in many patients, which makes it important for practitioners to be extra stringent about testing. Fortunately, there are a number of diagnostic procedures available for identifying the condition. Doctors need to consider the results of multiple tests to give a valid diagnosis and get on with the treatment at early stages. If the patient dies due to their negligence, their family can hire a medical malpractice lawyer to claim compensation for this malpractice. This is something you are entitled to because timely action can certainly save the life of a heart patient, no matter how serious their condition may be.
Appendicitis
A seemingly less dangerous medical condition that is likely to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed is appendicitis. The consequences, however, can be potentially fatal and most of the patients end up being in a serious condition. If the doctor does not pay heed to your symptoms or fails to run blood work, it is regarded as a reckless disregard for your health. Obviously, they will have to compensate you for the suffering borne due to this slack attitude.
Though you rightfully deserve fair claim for medical malpractice due to the doctor’s failure to diagnose, these cases may be hard to prove. However, an experienced and skilled attorney can help you secure a favorable verdict by handling the case properly. You must absolutely go the extra mile to get the fair compensation you deserve. In a majority of cases, this money can help patients to get the right treatment and restore their health. In fact, it can even save your life if you are fortunate.
