A misdiagnosis can result in physical setbacks, permanent disability, and even death. Misdiagnoses occur at a staggering rate, with an estimated 7.4 million people being misdiagnosed each year. Although the medical healthcare system is overburdened, this does not excuse the substandard care that many people receive.
If you or someone you love has been misdiagnosed, you deserve closure. At Marzella and Associates, we firmly believe that medical staff should be held accountable for their actions. If you were harmed as a result of a misdiagnosis, you need to speak with our Harrisburg, PA, medical malpractice lawyers.
What is a Misdiagnosis?
A misdiagnosis is when a doctor fails to accurately identify and/or diagnose a patient’s medical condition. There are various situations that may result in a misdiagnosis, such as:
- Diagnostic error: A medical professional may miss one or several symptoms, or a physician may not have the entire patient history, resulting in an incorrect diagnosis.
- Delay in diagnosis: A patient may be diagnosed long after symptoms present, resulting in a delay in treatment.
- Not recognizing complications: A doctor may prescribe medications unrelated to the disease the patient has, resulting in complications and a worsening of the condition.
Common Medical Conditions that are Often Misdiagnosed
Common misdiagnosed medical conditions include:
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Prostate cancer
- Stroke
- Sepsis
Proving that Your Condition Was Misdiagnosed
As in all medical malpractice claims, you will need to establish that the treating physician was negligent in providing you care. To do so, a patient will not demonstrate that their physician did not act in the manner that would be expected of a skilled doctor in the same field.
In establishing medical negligence, you must show the following:
- Duty of care: The treating physician owed you a duty not to cause harm
- Breach of duty: The physician’s deviation from the expected standard of care, which may be an act or omission
- Causation: The physician’s deviation from the expected standard of care directly caused you harm
- Substantial damages: The physician’s act or failure to act caused your physical, emotional, and financial losses
Evidence To Support a Misdiagnosis Claim
Unlike some personal injury cases, medical malpractice claims usually have an abundant amount of evidence. The following type of evidence may support your claim:
- Medical records: Health records and medical charts can provide further information about a patient’s medical history.
- Testimony of medical experts: Physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other practitioners may provide insight into a patient’s diagnosis and if the treating practitioner fails to meet their licensing requirements.
- Medical imaging: MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds take pictures of the human body. Medical imaging can show if a treating physician missed any abnormalities when formulating a diagnosis.
- Physician’s notes: A treating physician writes medical notes. They document a patient’s medical history, current medications, symptoms, and treatment plan.
- Correspondence between the physician and patient: Any e-mails, voicemails, or further correspondence can provide further evidence to help support your claim.
Skilled Medical Malpractice Lawyers Serving Harrisburg, PA
A medical misdiagnosis can put your life on hold. If you were misdiagnosed or experienced a delay in diagnosis, our legal team wants to hear from you. To learn what we can do for you, contact us to schedule your consultation. Our office can be reached by calling (717) 678-7966 or by completing our online contact form.