The Consequences of Misdiagnosis
When you visit the doctor’s office with an ailment, you expect for the physician to have the training, experience, and confidence necessary to properly diagnose and treat the issue. With modern technology and developments in the medical world, doctors have hundreds of tools at their disposal to help them cure most medical problems that patients may develop.
Sometimes, however, an improper diagnosis will render even these remarkable instruments and techniques useless. Patients who are misdiagnosed may suffer a delay in treatment or the dangerous application of unnecessary, invasive procedures.
Commonly Misdiagnosed Diseases
There are a number of diseases that are more commonly misdiagnosed than others. Typically, doctors will prefer to err on the side of caution, so they may incorrectly prescribe more aggressive treatment than necessary for a patient’s complaint. These unnecessary procedures and medications, however, may be costly, painful and invasive. Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed diseases include the following:
- Cancer, which is among the most frequently misdiagnosed conditions
- Heart attacks
- Clogged arteries
- Infections
When such life-threatening conditions are not diagnosed and treated immediately, they can cause the patient to suffer permanent disability or even death. In such cases, the physician and other medical practitioners may be held liable for their negligent actions.
Contact Us
If you have suffered an injury from misdiagnosis, or if you would like to learn more about this type of medical error, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 215-238-1130 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys about your situation.