If Misdiagnosis Happens, Can I Sue Doctors For Negligence?

You never expect that you or a loved one will be harmed due to the careless or negligent actions of a medical professional. However, there are various ways that a doctor, nurse, or any other licensed healthcare professional can make a mistake. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our skilled and dedicated medical malpractice attorneys in Philadelphia want to discuss what you can do if you are misdiagnosed by a doctor. Our goal is to secure any compensation you are entitled to.

How common is a misdiagnosis?

It may come as a surprise to many people that medical errors are one of the leading causes of death in this country. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US, killing as many as 250,000 people a year. Those same researchers have said that diagnostic errors cause more patient harm than any other medical mistake and account for the largest portion of all medical malpractice claims in this country.

“This is more evidence that diagnostic errors could easily be the biggest patient safety and medical malpractice problem in the United States,” said David E. Newman-Toker M.D., Ph.D. He is an associate professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Their research shows that diagnostic mistakes lead to permanent injury or death in as many as 80,000 to 160,000 people each year. There are various ways in which a misdiagnosis can cause harm to patients. This can include:

• Significantly delayed treatment if a misdiagnosis is later discovered and a proper diagnosis made. This could lead to a patient needing more aggressive treatment, which in turn increases medical costs as well as pain and suffering.
• A patient could die due to the misdiagnosis if the mistake is discovered too late or not at all. This is particularly true for patients who have cancer or other chronic illnesses that need treatment.

Main causes of a misdiagnosis

There are various factors that contribute to a misdiagnosis, including:

• Overworked healthcare staff
• Miscommunication between doctors and other members of the medical staff
• Doctors and nurses failing to obtain a full patient medical history
• Failing to perform certain tests or labs as indicated by a patient’s symptoms
• A general failure of the healthcare agency to implement quality control protocols

You may be entitled to significant compensation

If you or somebody you love has been injured due to the misdiagnosis or other negligent action of a medical professional, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we are dedicated to helping victims of medical mistakes obtain the compensation they need. This can include:

• Coverage for all medical expenses related to the error(s)
• Any lost wages and benefits if they cannot work
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Pain and suffering damages
• Punitive damages against the healthcare provider/agency responsible

When You need a medical malpractice attorney in Philadelphia, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.