A hospital misdiagnosis can have life-changing consequences. When a serious medical condition is overlooked or mistaken for another illness, patients may receive the wrong treatment or experience dangerous delays in care.
If you or a loved one has suffered because of a hospital’s mistake, our Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyers can review your situation and explain your legal options. Our attorneys understand how devastating these cases can be, and we are committed to helping injured patients pursue compensation for the harm they have suffered.
How Does a Hospital Misdiagnosis Happen?
Hospitals are expected to follow accepted medical standards when treating patients. Unfortunately, mistakes can occur when healthcare providers fail to exercise reasonable care. A misdiagnosis may involve diagnosing the wrong condition, failing to diagnose an illness altogether, or delaying the correct diagnosis until the patient’s condition has become significantly worse. Several factors can contribute to hospital misdiagnosis, including:
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Failure to order appropriate diagnostic testing
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Misinterpreting test results
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Poor communication between medical providers
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Overlooking important symptoms reported by the patient
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Inadequate patient evaluations
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Rushed emergency room visits
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Incomplete medical histories
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Failure to consult with specialists when necessary
While not every incorrect diagnosis amounts to medical malpractice, hospitals and healthcare professionals in Pennsylvania may be held legally responsible when their negligence causes preventable harm.
When Does a Misdiagnosis Become Medical Malpractice?
A poor medical outcome alone is not enough to support a malpractice claim. Instead, the injured patient must show that the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of medical care and that this failure directly caused additional injury. For example, a delayed cancer diagnosis may allow the disease to progress to a more advanced stage, reducing available treatment options.
To prove this, you and your attorney will work together to gather as much evidence as possible. However, filing early is key. Outlined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, a patient typically must file a medical malpractice action within two years of the date the injury occurred or within two years of when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
This rule is important because medical injuries are often not immediately apparent, so the clock may not start running until the harm is known or reasonably knowable.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Every medical malpractice case is different, but patients who have suffered because of a hospital misdiagnosis may be entitled to recover compensation for the financial and emotional losses they have experienced. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:
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Medical expenses, including future treatment costs
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Lost wages due to missing work from your injuries
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Reduced earning capacity if the injuries are expected to impact your life long-term
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional distress
Reach Out to Our Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Attorneys to Protect Your Rights Today
The medical malpractice lawyers in Harrisburg at Marzella & Associates work diligently to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable while pursuing the financial recovery our clients deserve. Contact us today by calling 717-234-7828 or by using our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We’re proud to represent clients living in Hanover, Lancaster, Harrisburg, and surrounding cities throughout Pennsylvania.