The health, recovery, and livelihood of patients depend upon medical issues being properly diagnosed by medical professionals. Once an ailment is diagnosed, the patient is then offered treatment, advice, and medication intended to specifically address the issue at hand. However, if the patient is misdiagnosed, it can lead to a prolonged illness, suffering, and in some extreme cases, death.
What is a misdiagnosis?
A misdiagnosis occurs when a medical professional fails to properly diagnose a patient’s condition. A misdiagnosis can lead to serious patient harm because it may prevent the patient from receiving much-needed care resulting in increased medical issues, increased medical expenses, financial & emotional stress, and potentially death.
A crucial dimension of a patient’s path to health is identifying the proper steps can be taken to address a medical problem and this depends on an accurate diagnosis. The longer a patient suffers from a condition without it being properly addressed, the chances of the problem advancing increases, which then requires additional more urgent action. This is especially pertinent to cases of cancer.
A Doctor’s Responsibility
The nature of the relationship between a doctor and patient must follow standards of practice both ethically and medically. Doctors have a responsibility to:
- Keep the patient fully and appropriately informed
- Perform only necessary procedures genuinely in the patient’s interest
- Refer the patient to another physician with more specialized expertise when this is called for
If a patient is seriously impacted by a failure to meet these standards—described as “reasonable care” in malpractice terms, legal action may be necessary to compensate for the financial and emotional consequences. Depending on the circumstances of the case, this may include compensation for lost wages, associated healthcare costs (current, future, and pass), as well as pain and suffering.
Importantly, efforts to hold doctors accountable for their errors contribute to the safety and health of future patients – as medical malpractice cases demand a response from medical professions that show the problem will be taken more seriously moving forward, potentially play a role in the development and application of more thorough procedures.
Protect Yourself or Your Loved Ones With The Help of An Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney!
If you have been harmed by the negligence of a medical professional, you may be entitled to recover damages. Schedule a consultation with our experienced medical malpractice attorney today. Call 888-691-9319 or fill out this short form to get started.
