| MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: DIAGNOSIS DELAY OR FAILURE  Failures and delays in diagnosing serious diseases and conditions happen with alarming frequency. Unfortunately these mistakes can have devastating consequences. When a diagnosis is missed or delayed, a patient whose condition might have been easily treatable could be faced with a life-threatening illness, invasive treatments, painful surgeries or even death. Frighteningly, studies have found that cancer and heart attacks are two of the most frequently missed diagnoses. An April 2000 report in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that emergency room doctors erroneously send one in 50 heart attack victims home without proper diagnosis or treatment.
Studies have also found that a failed or delayed diagnosis is often the result of multiple medical mistakes. These errors may be attributed to causes ranging from failure to obtain a patient’s medical history, to ordering incorrect diagnostic tests, to failing to correctly interpret or follow up on test results. Similarly, physicians may fail to conduct a thorough physical exam, recognize the symptoms of an illness or take patient history into account when making a diagnosis. In some cases insurance companies play a role in missed or delayed diagnoses because the companies refuse to authorize follow-up testing. It is important to note that patients themselves can contribute to diagnostic errors by being reluctant to provide accurate information to health care providers or by missing appointments. Accordingly we urge patients to be forthcoming with medical information and attend their scheduled appointments.
If you suspect that you or a loved has suffered harm as a result of a medical mistake, it is crucial to consult with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you secure all of the compensation to which you may be entitled. This may include compensation for pain and suffering, financial loss, emotional distress and medical expenses. In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages for another party’s wrongdoing. Our dedicated trial lawyers can also help you deal with your insurance company, as well as the insurer of the other party or parties. The insurance companies have lawyers working hard to minimize their payouts; you need a medical malpractice attorney who will work just as hard for you.
At Feldman Shepherd, we are committed to helping our clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey obtain the best possible recovery as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.
Related News and Media Coverage: |
