Misdiagnosis Claim
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Speak to a Trusted Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney Today About a Misdiagnosis that Caused you Harm

A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is not as obvious or dramatic as other types of medical malpractice, such as surgical mistakes or birth injuries. A misdiagnosis does not immediately draw blood or cause pain; but it does result in harm. In fact, a misdiagnosis can have extremely serious consequences that change the course of your life – and possibly even shorten your life.

The Illinois medical malpractice attorneys at Malman Law are here to help the victims of delayed or misdiagnosis and their families. We understand the physical and psychological pain that can come from improper medical treatment, as well as the huge financial costs that are often paired with poor medical care. If you believe that your health was harmed by a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, find out your legal options now by calling (888) 562-0928 today.

The Consequences Of A Misdiagnosis

What is so bad about a misdiagnosis? Isn’t it just a little mistake made on the way to a real diagnosis? Absolutely not. In reality, a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can be the difference between life and death. Here are just a few of the serious consequences of misdiagnosis:

• The treatment of your real medical issue is delayed. If your cancer diagnosis is delayed, your cancer could spread throughout your body. If your serious brain injury is misdiagnosed as a simple concussion, you could suffer permanent brain damage. Many medical conditions need to be treated as soon as possible for the best outcome. A missed diagnosis is often a missed opportunity.

• You may be medicated for the wrong medical issue. Medications often save lives, but being given the wrong medication for the wrong medical problem can be dangerous and even fatal. Taking the wrong prescription can damage your health permanently.

• You may undergo a medical procedure you don’t need. Some people don’t find out that they were misdiagnosed until they wake up from a surgery to the shocking news: it wasn’t what they thought it was. Having an unneeded operation is not only emotionally upsetting, it can have long-term consequences on your health and quality of life.

• You may suffer emotional trauma. Being told that you have one disease and then being told that you have another disease can be psychologically difficult to handle, especially if the misdiagnosis affects your overall health or shortens your lifespan. It is normal to require counseling, therapy, and medication after such a traumatic experience.

• You may miss your chance at survival. The bottom line is that a misdiagnosis can be a death sentence. One doctor failing to see a red flag, to patch together symptoms, or to order the right tests may be the difference between surviving and not surviving. If this happens to you or a loved one, you deserve justice.

When A Misdiagnosis Is Medical Malpractice

While some misdiagnoses are understandable, especially with very rare diseases, other misdiagnoses are the result of poor medical attention and negligence. It is vital to understand whether your misdiagnosis was an honest mistake that any doctor could have made, or whether it could have been prevented.

There are many steps involved in making a good diagnosis. Unfortunately, when a medical professional fails to follow these steps correctly and take proper care of a patient, a wrong diagnosis can occur. Some of the factors that go into a false diagnosis include:

• The misrepresentation of symptoms a patient is exhibiting.
• A failure to thoroughly examine a patient’s medical history.
• A failure to order the correct tests.
• The incorrect interpretation of test results.
• Incorrect testing.
• The failure to refer the patient to a specialist.
• The failure to report test results.
• The failure to address any possible problems with diagnosis.

Should you be a victim of a misdiagnosis for any of the above reasons, an Illinois injury lawyer can help you understand your case and receive full compensation. Even if you are not sure whether you were harmed by a misdiagnosis, we can assist you in getting to the bottom of your case and understanding your options for action.