Timely Identification And Treatment Is Critical
A serious health condition often requires prompt medical action. When a doctor, radiologist or other health care professional fails to diagnose a patient’s condition in a timely manner, the results can be tragic. Patients may suffer unnecessary pain, stress and financial loss from a misdiagnosis. In the worst cases, misdiagnosis can result in wrongful death.
Plaintiffs pursuing a lawsuit over misdiagnosis often need to follow the steps of proof needed for any other type of medical malpractice case. Usually what needs to be shown is a failing to properly diagnose a health condition, as in the physician failed to show the level of care that a similarly trained physician would have in the same circumstances. It also must be shown that the physician’s substandard care caused harm to the patient.
Who Can Be Sued In A Misdiagnosis Case?
Usually only the doctor making the misdiagnosis can be sued. In some instances, other medical professionals may be liable if it is the case that their negligence also contributed to the patient’s harm. Failing to make the right diagnosis is usually not enough in a misdiagnosis case. For this type of medical malpractice case to be successful, it must also be shown that there was significant harm to the patient. Misdiagnosis can cause harm in several ways including:
- Requiring the patient to be exposed to a more aggressive treatment then they would have been if the medical condition or disease had received an earlier diagnosis
- Exposing the patient needlessly to courses of treatment that are harmful, such as chemotherapy or radiation treatments
- Increasing the likelihood of the patient having complications
- An increased probability of death
Misdiagnosis Can Also Involve:
- A failure on the part of the physician to properly screen for a specific medical condition
- A failure on the part of the physician to refer a patient out to a specialist
- Misinterpreting lab results
- A failure on the part of the physician to properly consult with the patient about their symptoms
- A failure on the part of the physician to engage in proper follow up and investigate the possible causes of symptoms reported by the patient
John Price Law Firm, LLC offers professional and compassionate misdiagnosis representation from our team of Charleston attorneys. Our founding attorney, John Price, has more than 25 years of legal experience. Together, our misdiagnosis attorneys serve injured individuals and the families of wrongful death victims across South Carolina.
Handling Misdiagnosis Of Cancer, Heart Conditions And More
At John Price Law Firm, LLC, our misdiagnosis attorneys have the determination to take on the largest and most intimidating opponents on behalf of our clients’ rights and interests. Whether you were injured by a doctor’s delayed diagnosis at a local clinic or by failure to diagnose your condition at the most prominent hospital in the state, our misdiagnosis attorney services are here to help.
We handle medical negligence cases arising from misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose:
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Leukemia
- Appendicitis
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pneumonia
- HIV/AIDS
- Uterine rupture
- Diabetes
- Birth defects
- Fetal distress
- Meningitis