Failure to Diagnose & Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a medical condition is one of the most common medical malpractice claims filed. It is defined as the failure of a physician to identify and then appropriately treat a medical condition, either by not identifying a problem at all or by misidentifying a problem as one thing when it is really something else.

Unfortunately, medical misdiagnosis will continue to be a serious concern in the future of our healthcare. The Indianapolis medical malpractice attorneys at Wagner Reese have been fighting for the victims of doctor misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose since 1997. If you have a claim, we have the experience and resources to determine a plan of legal action, investigate your medical malpractice case, and fight for your recovery.

Call (888) 204-8440 or fill out and submit an online contact form to request your free initial consultation today.

Why Does Misdiagnosis & Failure to Diagnose Occur?

With continued advances in medical care and technology, you may consider failure to diagnose/misdiagnosis to be a rare occurrence, yet diagnostic errors continue to plague modern medicine. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals dedicate their lives to caring for patients, but the faith instilled in our doctors to care for us during times of sickness and injury can be shaken when doctors fail to properly treat or diagnose patients in their care.

There can be several reasons a medical physician might fail to diagnose or misdiagnose a condition:

• Delayed referral of a patient to a specialist
• Test results misinterpreted
• Failing to act on a patient’s complaints appropriately
• Conducting a physical examination improperly
• Misdiagnosing a tumor as benign
• Failing to recognize potential indications of a problem
• Not ordering appropriate tests when indicated
• Failing to provide adequate follow-up care, including following up on test results or ordering additional tests
• Lack of informed consent
• Medical records mistakes

Medical Malpractice Claims for Diagnostic Errors

Failing to perform at the professional standards can result in severe health consequences for patients, including continued illness or injury or even the death of a loved one.

An error in medical diagnosis can result in serious injuries and conditions that require extensive treatment:

• Cancers (particularly breast, colon, prostate, lung, or skin)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Meningitis
• Stroke
• Group B Strep
• Shoulder Dystocia
• Erb’s Palsy
• Paralysis
• Wrongful Death

If you or your loved one suffered because a doctor failed to properly diagnose an injury or illness, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the losses you have experienced. With decades of experience handling medical malpractice claims, Wagner Reese is here to help!

To learn more, contact our medical malpractice attorneys in Indianapolis for a free consultation. Call (888) 204-8440 today.