Proper treatment requires that patients receive a timely and accurate diagnosis. Any delay or misdiagnosis can have disastrous consequences for a patient, who will not get the treatment they need. Unfortunately, some patients will end up seriously ill or possibly even die, all because a doctor did not make a correct, timely diagnosis of their medical condition.
Diagnostic errors are a form of medical malpractice, and injured patients have a right to compensation when a medical error causes them injury. These errors can happen in many different medical settings, including in a doctor’s office, hospital, or operating room.
Experienced Grand Junction Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Few members of the public have the medical training necessary to know when a correct diagnosis should be made. Medical malpractice cases are some of the toughest to bring, and you will need a seasoned lawyer who understands the correct standard of care that medical professionals must follow.
At Cimarron Ridge Legal Group, our team has brought many successful cases for a missed or delayed diagnosis. We work with expert witnesses to understand what doctors should have done, and then we use our legal skills to get the compensation our clients need. Not every missed diagnosis results in a lawsuit, but let our team decide whether you have a valid case.
Causes of Diagnostic Errors
When doctors follow the correct standard of care, they should make a correct and timely diagnosis. Unfortunately, some professionals fail in their duties because of the following:
- Carelessness
- Lack of knowledge or skill
- Improper tests
- Human error performing the test
- Impairment by drugs or alcohol
- Excessive case load
- Inadequate support staff
The above are only some of the more common sources of errors. The key in this type of case will be to determine what a competent doctor would have done based on the knowledge he or she possessed at the time of diagnosis. If your doctor failed to perform competently, then an injured patient might be able to sue.
Complication from Diagnostic Errors
Many complications can ensue from a diagnostic error, including:
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Blindness
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Death
Patients can incur much more costly medical treatment and require longer recovery times when a doctor delays a correct diagnosis or makes an inaccurate one.
Someone with cancer, for example, might have seen their cancer spread much farther than it would have had a doctor correctly diagnosed the cancer in a timely manner. As a result, the cancer patient might need surgery and difficult chemotherapy. Their chances of survival could also fall dramatically given the spread of the disease.
Speak with a Grand Junction Medical Malpractice Attorney
Anyone injured by medical malpractice faces an uphill fight with insurers and defense lawyers. Let us help you. The team at Cimarron Ridge Legal Group brings a combined 70 years of experience to bear on these cases, and we can often get a more favorable result than a person could on their own. For help with your case, give us a call to schedule your free consultation.