The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) states that anywhere between 40,000 to 80,000 patients a year die as a result of diagnostic errors. About one in every six patients is affected by problems arising from a misdiagnosis. While it is true that doctors simply cannot know every possible medical circumstance, it is their responsibility to make sure that the diagnoses they give out to their patients are given with confidence.
Those who suffer from the error of a doctor through misdiagnosis can seek compensation for their damages. It is your right to seek justice for any wrong done against you or your loved ones. Getting a misdiagnosis lawyer will help you get the compensation and peace that you deserve. You are not alone.
Medical malpractice through misdiagnosis is harmful and potentially life-threatening. Do not wait to get legal assistance if you believe you are a victim of misdiagnosis. If you are in Columbus and looking for help in your misdiagnosis case, call The Fitch Law Firm. Our team dedicates itself to our clients and gives them the best legal counsel possible to win their case. We have years of experience under our belt and operate under the guiding principles of compassion, understanding, and honesty. For a free consultation, call us at (614) 545-3930 today.
Basics of Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs in three ways:
- You are diagnosed with the wrong illness.
- There is something wrong, but a doctor fails to diagnose the problem.
- Your diagnosis is delayed and was not disclosed within a reasonable time.
One of the most common ways misdiagnosis occurs is by getting the diagnosis wrong. If a doctor informed you that you had cancer when you have another condition is an example of getting a diagnosis wrong. It applies as well if Parkinson’s is diagnosed instead as chronic stress or Alzheimer’s. Failure to diagnose refers to when a doctor fails to detect a disease or ailment that is present. A delayed diagnosis is when a medical issue is eventually discovered, but a significant time has passed prior to its discovery.
Doctors are humans and can make mistakes. A misdiagnosis may seem understandable, given all of the different illnesses and conditions that exist. However, the issue with misdiagnosis is the adverse effects afterward because of it. Patients trust doctors with their lives when they put their health in the hands of medical professionals. It is the duty of the doctor to make sure that misdiagnosis does not happen and that they took every precaution to understand your situation. Not doing this is often the cause of this form of malpractice.
For a free legal consultation with a misdiagnosis lawyer serving Columbus, call 614-545-3930
Why Misdiagnosis Is Harmful
It is no understatement to say that misdiagnosis leads to death. As the NCBI statistic shows, misdiagnosis kills people in the United States yearly, numbering in the thousands. Why, exactly, do these deaths occur?
When your doctor fails to diagnose you correctly, you are letting medical issues wreak havoc on your body without proper attention or treatment. You cannot get treated for an illness if a doctor does not diagnose you properly. Imagine letting cancer go untreated for years because a doctor did not take the time to double-check and make sure that you were cancer-free.
If you are misdiagnosed for one illness instead of another, you could end up getting treatment for a disease you did not even have. Taking medicine and undergoing treatments for conditions you do not have can damage your body. Even worse, if you get a delayed diagnosis, other medical treatments may exacerbate the problem that went undiagnosed. The longer an undiagnosed problem remains, the worse it becomes, and the treatments that may have worked before will no longer work now.
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Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions
In no particular order, these are considered to be the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions:
- Cancer
- Heart attack
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- Stroke
- Celiac disease
- Lupus
- Parkinson’s
Some of these conditions may not be as immediately life-threatening as cancer, but any misdiagnosis has the potential to be dangerous and harmful. A misdiagnosis of anything on the list can lead to lasting damage to your body and your mental health.
You should always try to avoid a situation where you are misdiagnosed. While a doctor should be the one making sure the diagnosis is correct, there are some preventative steps you can take to make sure the errors of a misdiagnosis do not potentially harm you. The best way to prevent a misdiagnosis is by going to a specialist when needed and getting multiple doctors’ opinions. Always be aware of your family and medical history to make sure that a diagnosis gets made right the first time.
Get Help from a Columbus Misdiagnosis Lawyer Today
If you believe a doctor dismissed your symptoms, inaccurately read or performed tests, lost your test results, or failed to refer you to a specialist as needed, then contact a misdiagnosis lawyer. Getting misdiagnosed can result in terrible consequences and you deserve justice.
The Fitch Law Firm can help you through the process. Our firm has over 30 years of experience helping clients reach their settlements and get the peace they deserve. With our free consultation, we will provide you with all the options you can take to allow us to fight for you. Do not hesitate to reach out to our staff today at (614) 545-3930 .
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