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Misdiagnosis Lawyers in Ohio
When you have medical symptoms, your first thought is likely to visit a doctor. We trust our medical providers to find out what is wrong with us and, hopefully, treat us so that we can recover. Unfortunately, misdiagnoses, or diagnostic errors, are some of the most common – and most dangerous – medical mistakes. A missed or delayed diagnosis prevents a patient from receiving medical treatment. The results can lead to worsening conditions or even fatal outcomes by the time someone discovers the error.
If you suspect that your medical provider misdiagnosed you, you need to speak to an experienced Ohio misdiagnosis attorney. Medical malpractice cases are complex and highly technical. An experienced lawyer can help you collect evidence and find medical experts to support your effort to build a case against the negligent provider.
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Common reasons for medical misdiagnosis
Many patients who receive a misdiagnosis are initially unsure if their doctor made an error. Physicians and other members of the medical profession can make diagnostic mistakes that lead to a malpractice claim. Here are some common causes of misdiagnoses:
Errors in lab tests
Some medical laboratories process high volumes of samples every day. Sometimes, their actions may lead to errors, such as:
- Contaminating patient samples
- Testing samples from the wrong patient
- Reporting results incorrectly
These mistakes can cause providers to diagnose you with a condition you do not have or otherwise fail to identify your health problems. In these cases, you may be able to hold the testing facility or other responsible party accountable for such errors.
Misread Test Results
Primary care doctors, specialists, ER physicians and other medical providers frequently review diagnostic tests. These practitioners may incorrectly interpret the results of:
- CT scans
- X-rays
- PET scans
- MRIs
- Blood tests
A misinterpretation of those results can lead to the misdiagnosis of severe conditions like cancer, heart attacks, and blood clots.
Failure to Order or Follow Up on Testing
Sometimes, diagnostic errors occur because a doctor does not order, read, or follow up on test results. Common mistakes include:
- Not ordering the appropriate tests indicated by symptoms
- Failing to obtain lab test results
- Not contacting patients with abnormal results
These errors may happen if the doctor assumes they know what the condition is rather than taking the time to perform and analyze the results of tests or simply because the results and paperwork fell through the cracks. Sadly, such errors can have severe consequences, including death, permanent disability, or near-death events.
Misidentified Symptoms
Doctors may misdiagnose a patient because they present with symptoms that appear to match a different condition that is more common. Biases can play a role in this as well. For example, a doctor may assume a person does not have a condition because they are younger than the average person to experience that disease. In the case of a young individual experiencing a stroke, a doctor may be more likely to send that person home, assuming the individual has a migraine, vertigo or something else they see more often in younger patients. The consequences, however, can be devastating.
Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions
According to estimates, misdiagnoses impact 12 million people in the US, with tens of thousands of Americans losing their lives each year as a result. Here are some of the most common conditions involved in diagnostic errors:
Heart Attack and Stroke
Symptoms like chest pain or severe headaches can be misdiagnosed as heartburn or migraines when patients are actually experiencing life-threatening conditions. When this happens, it delays life-saving treatments. One study exposed the scope of the problem when it found that nearly 13% of stroke patients visited a hospital less than 30 days earlier but were misdiagnosed with a less severe condition, like vertigo.
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolisms are one of the most common conditions that doctors miss or misdiagnose. Sadly, about 33% of patients die before receiving a diagnosis or treatment. While the symptoms are not always clear, patient information, including family medical history and any recent surgeries, should indicate to a physician that the patient is at risk.
Pneumonia
If a provider believes a patient has pneumonia, they will likely order a standard chest X-ray. However, this common test fails to detect pneumonia in nearly half of all early cases. The false negative test results can lead to a misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
Cancer
Cancer accounts for about 11% of all misdiagnoses. When patients do not receive a prompt diagnosis, it reduces their survival rates because it causes delays in treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. Some common ways providers may misdiagnose cancer include diagnosing lung cancer as pneumonia or bronchitis or colorectal cancer as irritable bowel syndrome.
Cerebral Palsy
Children sometimes receive a misdiagnosis of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy shares symptoms with other conditions, including muscular dystrophy. The correct diagnosis is vital for providing the right treatment and support.
Meningitis
Like strokes, meningitis may also be misdiagnosed as a migraine. Meningitis is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt treatment, and any delay can increase the risk of brain damage or death.
Appendicitis
Patients who present with stomach symptoms may have appendicitis but be misdiagnosed with the stomach flu. This error can lead to the person’s appendix bursting, causing severe infection and other complications that require extended, costly hospital stays.
Pregnancy-Related Complications
One study indicated that the rate of misdiagnosis of common pregnancy complications, including cephalopelvic disproportion, postpartum hemorrhage, and pre-eclampsia, was close to 30%. Patients who received a misdiagnosis ended up with higher medical costs and lost more income.
What to do after a misdiagnosis in Ohio
A misdiagnosis can be a life-altering event that dearly costs individuals and their families. In many cases, the error will lead to a person requiring more medical care than they would have if their provider treated their condition promptly. Other times, the options for treatment may be limited, or the condition might have progressed too far for the person to recover.
One option families have when a misdiagnosis impacts them is to pursue a medical malpractice claim against the provider that failed to diagnose the condition promptly or properly. A successful medical malpractice claim allows you to recover damages for your injuries. Those damages include compensation for your:
- Medical costs and hospital expenses
- Lost earnings
- Physical disabilities
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress and suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Loss of companionship
In the case of severe, life-long medical complications stemming from a misdiagnosis, the damages can include medical and caregiving costs that extend throughout your life. Your lawyer may work with medical and financial experts to determine your actual losses resulting from the injury. Especially in cases involving catastrophic injuries, it is important to discuss your injuries with an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
Seeking legal help after misdiagnosis in Ohio
If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered due to a misdiagnosis, it is crucial to act quickly. The Ohio statute of limitations places strict time limits on how long you have to file your claim. The sooner you connect with a lawyer, the better.
At Crandall & Pera Law, we are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Whether negotiating with insurance companies, investigating the circumstances of your diagnosis, or fighting for you and your family in court, we offer compassionate, personalized representation to all our clients. Call today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with one of our experienced Ohio misdiagnosis attorneys.