The hospital is the first place you think of when you fall sick, and people rarely have to worry about the possibility of suffering harm at the hands of a doctor. 

Unfortunately, doctors, like anyone else, are prone to make mistakes that can be catastrophic, considering they deal with sensitive matters related to health.

Misdiagnosis is among the most common types of medical malpractice, and it occurs when a doctor fails to diagnose a patient’s condition properly. Speaking to Connecticut attorney Russell Berkowitz during this time can ease the 

This guide looks into medical misdiagnosis and can be an excellent read if you have suffered harm after a misdiagnosis.

What Is Misdiagnosis?

A misdiagnosis is a failure to identify a medical condition, resulting in more harm to the patient. Like most tort claims, medical malpractice claims are negligence-based. 

As such, a defendant can only be liable if, when handling a patient, they deviate from the reasonable duty of care another medical professional would exercise given the circumstances. Also, the deviation must cause harm and cause the plaintiff to suffer compensable damages. 

Failure to Order Specific Tests

Doctors rely on a patient’s symptoms to determine an ailment. However, symptoms alone cannot be conclusive because many diseases share symptoms, increasing the risk of medical misdiagnosis.

To rule out specific conditions, a reasonable doctor will order specific tests.

For example, if a patient comes in with symptoms that include underarm pain, the treating doctor should perform tests that include testing for breast cancer.

If they rule out breast cancer without proper testing and continue treating something else while the actual problem is cancer, their failure to test would mean that the condition will deteriorate, and thus they can be held liable for the damages.

Failure to Refer

A general practitioner can handle most medical issues. However, some cases require specialized attention, and a reasonable doctor must understand their limitations and refer patients to a professional who can handle the patient’s condition.

Doctors must clearly state their proficiency in the fields they operate. 

Failure to refer can mean the full extent of a condition is not established and not diagnosed altogether, leading to complications, in which case the doctor would be liable for damages. 

Missed Diagnosis

A missed diagnosis occurs when a doctor orders the proper tests but misreads the results or overlooks some critical signs of a specific disease.

As a result, a patient does not get treatment for their condition. They can then file a medical negligence claim against the practitioner. 

A doctor should know when a patient is exhibiting signs of complications, for example, by conducting tests along the treatment journey and listening to what the patient says.

If the patient exhibits signs of a complication but the doctor fails to diagnose the problems, they will not provide timely interventions, allowing the condition to deteriorate. 

Misdiagnosis vs. Delayed Diagnosis

Delayed diagnosis almost always occurs as a result of a misdiagnosis. The treating doctor fails to identify the condition in its earlier stages, only to get the correct diagnosis later.

Unfortunately, time can be the difference between life and death for some conditions. For example, it is much easier to treat cancer when it is in its first and second stages; however, if cancer progresses to the third and fourth stages, the chances of beating it diminish significantly. 

Misdiagnosis cases are complex, and there is a low chance of winning without involving a personal injury lawyer. Also, you must ensure that the personal injury lawyer you choose has experience in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Medical Misdiagnosis: Impact, Awareness, and Legal Options

Misdiagnosis affects countless individuals each year, leading to delayed treatment, worsened conditions, and even tragic outcomes. These errors can stem from a variety of factors, including communication breakdowns, inadequate testing, and cognitive biases.

Medical misdiagnosis mistakes are a pervasive and alarming issue in the healthcare industry, with far-reaching consequences for patients, families, and the community as a whole.

Understanding common diagnostic errors empowers patients to advocate for their health effectively. If you’ve been affected by a misdiagnosis, consulting a skilled attorney can help you seek justice and compensation.

Protect your well-being by staying informed, asking questions, and pursuing the care and accountability you deserve.