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With the advanced medical technology healthcare facilities have access to, doctors can identify and diagnose many diseases at an early stage. Unfortunately, doctors are sometimes negligent when it comes to performing these tests and interpreting the results, which can lead to a devastating misdiagnosis. Patients who are victims of diagnostic test errors can become much worse as their condition goes untreated. In the worst-case situations, diagnostic errors can be fatal.
If you have been misdiagnosed and suffered as a result, it is important that you speak with a diagnostic test error lawyer for the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson as soon as possible. We can review your claim for free and explain all your legal options.
When Diagnostic Testing Errors Result in Serious Harm
Not all missed diagnoses are considered medical malpractice or require the help of an attorney. Sometimes, doctors must try several diagnostic tests and techniques before they can accurately diagnose a patient’s condition. However, there are certain instances in which a diagnostic error can result in legal action.
When a patient sustains serious harm as a result of a diagnostic error, he or she should speak with an attorney about a medical malpractice claim. Although doctors may attempt trial and error tests when diagnosing a patient, they must also do so in a timely manner to ensure the patient is not harmed as a result. If a patient becomes sicker or passes away because the condition was not accurately diagnosed on time, there may be a case for medical malpractice.
Doctors are taught that to make an accurate diagnosis they must follow what is called a differential diagnosis, which is a systematic way of determining which one of several conditions may be causing a patient’s symptoms. Perhaps the two most important elements of this method are simply listening to the patient by taking an adequate history and then performing a proper physical examination. The failure to do either is a frequent cause of diagnostic error.
In all instances, an attorney can help evaluate whether the doctor acted according to the standard of care, or in the same way another doctor would have acted in that situation.
Types of Diagnostic Errors
Unfortunately, there are many different types of diagnostic errors that can lead to harm for patients. The most common of these include:
- Inaccurately diagnosing a patient’s condition by failing to perform an adequate physical examination
- Failing to diagnose an injury or illness by failing to follow a differential diagnosis or take an adequate history
- Failing to order further testing to confirm a diagnosis is accurate
- Failing to refer a patient to a specialist when appropriate
- Failing to read and analyze lab results accurately
- Failing to order the correct tests
- Failing to monitor a patient’s progress due to an inaccurate diagnosis
- Failing to order a biopsy or other procedure to accurately diagnose a disease
When any of these diagnostic errors occur, patients should demand answers and speak to a medical malpractice attorney.
Need Legal Assistance? Contact a Diagnostic Test Error Lawyer Now
Diagnostic test errors are extremely dangerous to patients and can cause an injury or illness to become much worse. If you believe that you have been harmed due to a diagnostic test error, our Indiana medical malpractice lawyer at the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson is here to help. Medical malpractice claims are some of the most complex to file, but our trusted team has the necessary experience and resources to help you demand the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free case review to learn more about how we can help.
