Medical misdiagnosis cases are the number one reason for medical lawsuits in the US. These situations, where patients receive an incorrect or delayed diagnosis, are deeply saddening and dangerous because they can lead to exacerbated conditions and in serious cases, death.
It’s important to stay informed about these claims so that you know what qualifies as a case and when you should speak up and seek legal help. This post outlines seven situations where misdiagnoses commonly occur and what you can do about it.
1. Missed Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer symptoms vary greatly depending on the type of disease, so it’s possible for healthcare providers to confuse them with a number of other conditions like asthma, IBS, or cysts. When they don’t perform necessary testing, the cancer can go undetected and untreated. Since taking action early on is crucial for cancer treatment, these misdiagnoses are especially dangerous.
2. Misinterpreted Stroke Symptoms
Stroke symptoms are easy to confuse with those of migraines, anxiety, or even intoxication, so misidentifying strokes is a common error. If a professional doesn’t catch the stroke soon enough, this medical misdiagnosis can lead to brain damage, physical disabilities, and a grueling recovery process.
3. Untreated Heart Complications
Stomach or chest pain associated with heart attacks or other heart complications can sometimes be attributed to panic attacks, indigestion, or other less threatening conditions. In these situations, patients don’t receive proper tests or treatments, which can lead to long-term complications or even death.
4. Birth Injuries
Birth injuries occur when medical professionals fail to address complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Oxygen deprivation, untreated infections, or fetal distress can lead to conditions such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or brain damage. These errors are often a result of poor monitoring, misread tests, or delays during emergencies, causing lasting impacts on the child and family.
5. Misread Test Results
Misreading lab or imaging results is another common cause of medical misdiagnosis. Radiologists may overlook a fracture in an X-ray, doctors may misinterpret an MRI or lab techs may make errors in a blood test. These misreadings can delay necessary treatment or result in treatment for the wrong conditions, leaving patients with further complications.
6. Delayed Diagnosis
Slightly different from typical misdiagnoses are delayed diagnoses, when symptoms are identified too late to provide effective treatment. Patients may not be tested promptly and receive care for a less severe condition. When they get worse, the correct diagnosis is finally made, but sometimes irreversible damage has already been done.
7. Failure to Diagnose
Failure to diagnose occurs when a provider completely overlooks symptoms, leaving them entirely untreated and classifying the patient as healthy. In these cases, patients often continue without treatment for long periods of time, assuming that their condition isn’t of concern until it worsens. This mistake can make it significantly harder for patients to heal if its already too late.
Contact PMHP for Support in Your Medical Misdiagnosis Case
When you aren’t sure whether your situation qualifies as a medical misdiagnosis, the best course of action is to contact a trusted lawyer and talk through your case.
When you call PMHP, you’ll receive personalized attention and expert insights from a consultant who cares about you and your claim. If you decide to pursue your case, we’ll be with you every step of the way until you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve. So don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule your free consultation—PMHP is ready to help.