How dangerous is a failure to diagnose?

A failed diagnosis can be extremely dangerous and harmful to the victim in several ways. When victims are left suffering because of a failed diagnosis, or their family members are left suffering the loss of the victim because of a failed diagnosis, important personal injury protections can help.

How can a failed diagnosis be harmful?

A failed diagnosis, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can harm the victim in several different ways including:

• By making the victim’s medical condition worse – the victim may not be treated correctly which can result in a worsening of their medical condition.
• By delaying the victim’s correct diagnosis – if the victim is treated for another illness and not the one they are actually suffering from, they may suffer harm because of the wrong treatment itself or may suffer a worsened condition because the illness they are actually suffering from is not being treated.
• By the victim’s medical condition worsening until it results in the wrongful death of the victim.

Medical professionals may be considered negligent if they provide medical care that falls below the standard of care. This can include by misreading test results or ordering the wrong tests. It can also include failing to properly review the patient’s medical history. When a medical care professional has been negligent, they may be liable for medical malpractice.

Personal injury and wrongful death legal resources available to help

Commonly misdiagnosed illnesses can include asthma, heart attacks, Lyme disease, Parkinson’s disease and lupus, among others. When the victim has suffered a medical misdiagnosis, they may be able to recover compensation for the harm suffered through a personal injury claim for damages. Likewise, surviving family members of a loved one lost to a misdiagnosis may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim for their damages. Victims and their families should be familiar with these legal remedies and resources protecting them.