Misdiagnosis Of An Illness Or Injury
Medical Malpractice Lawyers Serving Patients In Northwest Indiana
An accurate diagnosis of a medical condition can have a considerable impact on the course of treatment and a patient’s likelihood to respond to medical care and recover. Doctors, nurses and other health care providers have an obligation to do all they can to ensure a patient’s illness or injury is correctly diagnosed from the outset, and must be held responsible when they fail to do so. The Northwest Indiana medical malpractice attorneys of Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., act as advocates for misdiagnosis victims and their families. We take on cases involving such misdiagnosed conditions as:
- Cancers
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Infections
- Psychological disorders
- Heart diseases
- Appendicitis
- Bacterial meningitis
Find out how we can help you. Call 219-733-8633 for a free consultation.
How Common Is Misdiagnosis?
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, autopsies of people who had fatal illnesses revealed that 20% had been misdiagnosed. Millions of patients are receiving treatments for diseases they do not have, and thousands are likely to die as a result.
Commonly misdiagnosed diseases or conditions include:
- Cancer
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Appendicitis
- Infection
- Psychological disorders
Doctors are often under pressure to minimize the time they spend with each patient and the number of tests ordered. If they cannot bill for a consultation with a specialist or the time spent researching a problem, most likely these steps never occur. None of this, however, excuses physicians from making the correct diagnosis and ensuring that the patient receives effective treatment. When they neglect to do so, they may be liable for medical malpractice.
The Danger Of A Partial Misdiagnosis
Partial misdiagnoses also plague the medical field. It is not uncommon for one form of cancer to be mistaken for another, or for learning disabilities to be mistaken as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When this occurs, a person’s true condition can be masked and left untreated for months or years, often causing the illness to worsen.
Handling Medical Misdiagnosis Litigation Across Northwest Indiana
With more than 110 years of collective experience, our team has the knowledge needed to successfully try misdiagnosis lawsuits. Our Northwest Indiana medical malpractice attorneys check to see whether your doctor sought a second opinion, consulted a specialist, ordered all necessary medical tests, performed thorough research on the details of the condition or followed through on intended treatment plans. If they failed to do so and your condition became more severe, we can help you file a medical malpractice lawsuit. We are committed to seeing you receive the compensation you deserve for unnecessary pain and suffering as well as any other damages you are eligible to collect.
Contact our firm at 219-733-8633 or email us to discuss your case with a friendly and knowledgeable professional.