Misdiagnosis is a leading cause of medical malpractice claims in Texas and throughout the nation. In a recent study, researchers found that an estimated 795,000 people become permanently disabled or die every year in the U.S. because of misdiagnosis of dangerous diseases.
Experienced San Antonio Misdiagnosis Attorney
Failure of a medical professional to correctly diagnose a health condition can lead to incorrect or delayed treatment, causing the patient’s condition to worsen. If you or your loved one has suffered harm because of this type of medical negligence, our seasoned misdiagnosis attorney in San Antonio can help.
How Does Misdiagnosis Occur?
Misdiagnosis can have devastating effects on a patient, including unnecessary treatments, progression of the illness, and loss of the chance of recovery. It can occur in the following two primary ways:
- Failure to diagnose: The doctor or healthcare provider fails to recognize symptoms and makes no diagnosis. This results in a lack of treatment that could have been provided if the symptoms had been recognized and the condition correctly identified.
- Incorrect diagnosis: The provider recognizes a health condition but misdiagnoses it. As a result, the patient may receive the wrong treatment or no treatment for the actual condition, leading to deteriorating health.
What Are Some Commonly Misdiagnosed Health Conditions?
Certain medical conditions with complex symptoms or mimic other illnesses may be more prone to misdiagnosis. Commonly misdiagnosed conditions include the following:
- Heart attack: Symptoms of a heart attack may be mistaken for less serious conditions, such as acid reflux, anxiety, or stress. Failure to promptly diagnose a heart attack can result in severe, irreversible damage or death.
- Stroke: Symptoms of stroke may be mistaken for other non-life-threatening conditions, such as vertigo or migraine. This can delay the urgent care needed to minimize stroke damage and save lives.
- Cancer: When cancer is misdiagnosed, or diagnosis is delayed, it can mean the difference between life and death. Early detection is critical in many types of cancer, and misdiagnosis can mean loss of valuable time.
- Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs can have fatal consequences if not treated immediately. Pulmonary embolism may be misdiagnosed as pneumonia, asthma, or a panic attack.
- Infections: Serious infections, such as meningitis, Lyme disease, or sepsis, may be mistaken for viral infections or other less severe conditions, delaying critical treatment.
- Celiac disease: In this serious autoimmune disease, ingesting gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. This condition can generally be managed with dietary changes, but if left undiagnosed, it can lead to complications, such as anemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and gastrointestinal disorders. Celiac disease is frequently misdiagnosed as other medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Lyme disease, chronic migraines, and mental health disorders.
What Must Be Proven in a Misdiagnosis Medical Malpractice Claim?
Not every misdiagnosis is medical malpractice. Bringing a successful claim requires proving all of the following elements:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed: There was a formal relationship between the patient and the healthcare provider, and therefore, the provider had a duty to the patient.
- The healthcare provider did not meet the standard of care: It must be shown that the doctor or provider failed to act as a reasonably competent doctor or healthcare provider would in similar circumstances and was, therefore, negligent.
- The healthcare provider’s negligence led to harm: It must be established that the provider’s negligence directly caused harm to the patient.
- Damages were incurred: The patient must have suffered damages due to the misdiagnosis. Damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
At Scheuerman Law Firm, we have the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle complex medical malpractice claims effectively. Our misdiagnosis lawyer in San Antonio has a background defending doctors and hospitals—a unique advantage in prosecuting medical malpractice cases. Contact our firm if you or your loved one has been harmed by misdiagnosis.