Misdiagnosis is Becoming One of the Most Common Forms of Malpractice
There are several types of medical malpractice out there, but misdiagnosis is the type that can lead to a downward spiral. Misdiagnosis means a patient is paying for a procedure or treatment that is having no effect on them. Their medical condition is left untreated, which can lead to one’s state of health rapidly declining. This can lead to serious medical complications later on and even death for missed diseases like cancer. Talk to a New York Medical Malpractice Attorney if you suffered serious consequences from a misdiagnosis.
The Consequences of Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis is often unrecognized as a serious issue in today’s world. 10-20% of medical cases have been impacted by a diagnostic error. This is significantly higher than medical malpractice lawsuits for surgical or medication errors. In 28% of 583 diagnostic errors, the consequences were either deadly or led to a permanent disability.
Despite these reports, misdiagnosis tends to be ignored and underreported by hospitals. This leaves patients vulnerable to receiving pointless treatments and expensive medical bills. Some patients with serious diseases, like cancer, may miss their chance of recovery because the doctor failed to detect tumor growth. Medical conditions, like infections, traumatic brain injuries, and internal problems, often need immediate treatment to prevent further damage.
Common Causes of Misdiagnosis
Causes of misdiagnosis vary depending on the doctor, patient communication, and type of disease. Making a proper diagnosis can be a complicated process depending on what type of medical condition a patient really has. This is because a fair amount of illnesses are strikingly similar to others, and some doctors may not have enough time to make an accurate assessment. Some doctors see hundreds of patients weekly, especially in walk-in clinics where a doctor may see a patient for the first and last time. Rare medical conditions can be easily missed.
Medical school teaches doctors to go with the medical condition that is most common before looking at differential diagnoses. This can lead some doctors to form a dependence on medical tests for answers. When ambiguous answers arise, the path to the wrong treatment can continue.
Other doctors may misdiagnose due to errors in thinking. Doctors are human, too, and can make mistakes. Negligence happens when a doctor rushes the assessment process and offers a diagnosis without sufficient justification. If the patient suffers damages, this is considered malpractice.
Medical Malpractice Lawyer in New York
If you experienced serious financial or physical consequences from a misdiagnosis, talk to a Camillus Personal Injury Lawyer today. No one should have to pay for damages caused by someone else. You may be eligible to receive compensation for pain and suffering, personal injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.
At Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, we have over 50 years of experience with a variety of personal injury cases. Contact us today at (315) 314-8000 for a free consultation. We are located in Central New York, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Syracuse, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. We will work with you to investigate what happened, collect evidence, and prove your case.