Misdiagnosis is a serious problem for patients everywhere, with nearly 800,000 people either dying or suffering from a permanent disability due to a misdiagnosed medical condition every year. In many cases, these misdiagnoses could be avoided if doctors took proper care with their patients, which they sadly do not always do. But how exactly are you supposed to tell if you have been misdiagnosed by your doctor?
What is a Misdiagnosis?
In simple terms, a misdiagnosis is when a doctor fails to appropriately diagnose an illness or injury that a patient is suffering from. This can be the result of diagnosing them with the wrong condition, or it can be the result of a failure to diagnose, where they are unable to recognize that anything is wrong with the patient. These sorts of mistakes are shockingly commonplace, and can potentially result in severe consequences for patients that experience them.
Why Do Doctors Misdiagnose Illnesses and Injuries?
Just like anyone else, doctors are capable of making mistakes in the course of their jobs. They may miss important symptoms that may point to a diagnosis, or they may fail to follow up with important tests or examinations to come to a proper conclusion about your condition. They are also more likely to make serious mistakes if they are tired, intoxicated, or otherwise not in a proper state of mind.
How Do You Tell if You Have Been Misdiagnosed?
There are several ways that a misdiagnosis may become apparent. First and foremost, you should always be wary if your medical condition does not improve over the course of your treatment, or if you experience any unforeseen complications. Second, you should be wary if your doctor is dismissive of your symptoms without confirming without additional testing. Finally, you should always be suspicious if your doctor tries to prevent you from seeing your medical records, or tries to prevent you from getting a second opinion.
What Are the Consequences of a Misdiagnosis?
When people are misdiagnosed, it can lead to a variety of additional problems for patients. Not only can it result in their original problem not getting adequately treated, it can lead to a variety of additional complications from unnecessary or incorrect treatments. In addition, the longer a problem goes without adequate treatment, the more likely it is that it will result in long-term disability or death, making it essential to correct these issues as soon as possible. However, it should be noted that medical malpractice cases can be costly to litigate, except in cases of gross negligence.
The personal injury attorneys at David J. Lorber & Associates, PLLC will work with you to help you get justice for you or your loved ones who were hurt by someone else’s negligence. For comprehensive personal injury law services in New York, call David J. Lorber & Associates, PLLC at (631) 750-0900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Setauket office.
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