Medical malpractice may be caused by a missed or incorrect diagnosis. Incorrect diagnosis is the result of a doctor not recognizing a patient’s condition or problem. The result is that the patient is not receiving treatment because it is not properly diagnosed. Delay in diagnosis is when a patient’s symptoms have been ignored for some time. In either case, the patient has been denied proper treatment for their condition. The doctor’s lack of diagnosis can also result in misdiagnosis, which can lead to further complications.

At the end of the day, the most important question is: Is Misdiagnosis considered medical malpractice? Yes it is, in most cases. 

Misdiagnosis

In the world of medical malpractice, a common type of mistake is misdiagnosis. A doctor may misdiagnose a patient when the condition is not one that is present or the patient doesn’t have it. A nurse with inflammatory breast cancer may be mistakenly diagnosed with mastitis and prescribed antibiotics. Similarly, a young stroke patient may be mistakenly diagnosed with a headache, vertigo, or alcohol intoxication. Finally, an elderly person suffering from a heart attack might be sent home from the emergency room with indigestion. Whether the mistake was intentional or unintentional, misdiagnosis is a serious problem and can result in costly, even life-threatening consequences.

Failure to get informed consent

In some cases, patients can file a claim against a doctor for failure to obtain informed consent for medical malpractice, especially when the doctor didn’t fully explain the procedure. This can happen when the doctor performs an invasive procedure on the patient without getting the patient’s consent. For example, a brain tumor removal may not require informed consent if the patient’s request is based on a patient’s refusal.

Incorrect diagnosis

If you believe you suffered harm due to an incorrect diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation for the mistake. However, the legality of misdiagnosis claims depends on the facts of your case. If you suspect your primary care physician has missed an early sign of breast cancer, you may have a case for medical malpractice. If, however, your physician misdiagnosed your nine-year-old’s headache, your primary care physician might not be negligent.

Complications of incorrect diagnosis

Despite a heightened awareness of the risk of medical malpractice claims, patients are often left without adequate treatment due to improper diagnoses. Patients in Michigan expect answers from their physicians and treatment options. Unfortunately, physicians often make mistakes, miss diagnoses, or fail to diagnose the patient’s condition. Such errors can result in serious medical complications, long-term injuries, or even death. A lawyer can help protect you from the financial and personal losses associated with improper diagnosis.

Damages caused by a misdiagnosis

Medical malpractice can result in significant harm to a patient, including unnecessary treatments and even death. Incorrect diagnoses can also result in wrong medication and side effects, which could lead to long-term problems and even wrongful death. To protect yourself from a misdiagnosis, learn your legal rights. You may be able to claim damages for medical malpractice in Pennsylvania. By contacting a legal malpractice attorney, you will be better equipped to determine your rights.