Improper Medical Diagnosis: Facts You Need to Know

When you are sick, you go see a doctor, trusting that he or she will accurately diagnose what is wrong. Sometimes, unfortunately, doctors are unable to diagnose a medical condition or, worse still, misdiagnose the illness and provide you with an inappropriate treatment that not only does not improve your condition, but may in fact worsen your health.

There are many different reasons why a doctor may miss or misdiagnose a medical condition. Some of the most common are:

• The disease symptoms are not sufficiently noticeable—the individual has mild symptoms which are typically much worse in patients suffering from the same condition
• A disease is unusual and thus the doctor does not consider it among the possible diagnoses
• The doctor overly focuses on one symptom, ignoring other symptoms that would, when considered together, point to the correct diagnosis
• The individual's symptoms are suggestive of many different conditions
• The condition does not present in the usual way, showing only one or two of the usual set of symptoms

An appropriate and timely diagnosis of a medical condition is vital to a patient's prognosis. An improper or delayed diagnosis can lead to a patient receiving no treatment, or the wrong treatment—both possibilities can cause an individual's condition to worsen and may in some cases result in the death of someone who would have survived with appropriate medical attention.

Unfortunately, misdiagnoses are quite common, particularly in rare and severe diseases like cancer. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a missed or incorrect medical diagnosis, you may be entitled to bring suit against your physician for medical malpractice. An experienced personal injury attorney from Arnold & Itkin can review the facts in your case and determine the best legal approach for you to take. We offer free and confidential consultations to all potential clients, so there is no risk in calling our office. Contact us today for the information you need.