A failure to diagnose occurs when a physician or other healthcare professional fails to identify a patient’s disease. Sometimes a failure to diagnose puts a patient’s life in danger, particularly in cases where the diagnosis comes too late and the disease has progressed to a point where it can no longer be effectively treated. Associated with failure to diagnosis is delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. The doctor’s lack of recognition of symptoms and consequent inaction puts the patient in a situation where treatment options are greatly reduced and pain, suffering, and death are more likely.
To discuss your malpractice claim with an experienced lawyer, contact Perey Law Group, PLLC today.
A Common Claim
Failure to diagnose is one of the most common malpractice claims today, especially for bacterial meningitis and different types of cancers. In fact, recent statistics show that nearly 40% of all medical malpractice litigation involves a failure to diagnose the presenting health condition.
Liability
Although doctor negligence is often at the root of a failure to diagnose, insurance companies may also bear some liability. Their resistance to allowing certain tests to be conducted, particularly for cancer diagnosis, often delays pinpointing the correct diagnosis and then prevents the doctor from administering the appropriate treatment.
However, with regard to physician negligence, the following represent some of the more common causes of a failure to diagnose:
· Failure to recognize symptoms or confusing symptoms with another condition
· Failure to order appropriate tests
· Failure to correctly interpret test results
· Failure to identify high risk factors in patients
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice covers all aspects of medical negligence leading to pain and suffering or wrongful death. Errors made by medical professionals regarding diagnosis are sometimes preventable and individuals who have suffered injury as a result may be entitled to compensation.
If you think you have a medical malpractice claim, it’s important to act quickly since a statute of limitations restricts the amount of time you have to take legal action. Let our experienced medical malpractice lawyers evaluate your case and help you maximize your legal rights. Contact us today.
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Perey Law Group, PLLC
1606 8th Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: (206) 443-7600
Fax: (206) 443-4785