There is something worse than being diagnosed with an illness.
Not being diagnosed properly when you do have an illness.
We know that nobody wants to be diagnosed with anything that could harm them, but the reality is that it is better to know about what is going on with our bodies so we can be treated. When you go to see a doctor, you expect them to get to the bottom of what is wrong with you.
We trust healthcare professionals to take care of us. But what happens when they are negligent or careless in their duties and you are further harmed? When you need a Drexel Hill failure to diagnose attorney, you can turn to The Weitz Firm, LLC to have your back.
Johns Hopkins researchers say that diagnostic errors, not medication overdoses or surgical mistakes, account for the largest fraction of medical malpractice claims, the most severe patient harm, and the highest total penalty payouts.
This is significant. In the United States, medical mistakes cause more than 250,000 annual deaths. Some estimates put that number over 400,000. We just do not know. We do now know that these mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the US.
How many of these medical mistakes occur because a doctor failed to properly diagnose a patient.
We know that not all misdiagnoses are due to doctor error. Sometimes patients are not presenting major symptoms and often things do not show up in scans.
Other times, doctors miss something that they should not have missed.
In a busy emergency room environment, a doctor may be rushed and fail to notice a medical emergency that a patient is experiencing. They may fail to order certain tests. What if a doctor discharges a patient too early and they end up getting worse?
Studies have shown that doctors who are fatigued can contribute to patient harm. Indeed, a doctor who has been working for 24 hours or more (common in the medical field) is not going to be able to focus as well as a doctor who is rested. We understand that there are going to be times when medical professionals are busy, but this cannot compromise patient care.
A correct and early diagnosis of a medical condition, whether in an emergency or of a chronic problem, will lead to better and more efficient treatment. A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis will undoubtedly harm patients.
The quicker a health issue is discovered the better. There are many medical conditions that need to be treated quickly in order for a person to survive. When a doctor fails to properly diagnose someone, whether out of negligence or carelessness, you need to know what to do.
When you need a medical malpractice lawyer in Drexel Hill, you can turn to The Weitz Firm, LLC for help. We want to work with you to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.
