Misdiagnosis
Philadelphia Misdiagnosis Lawyer
Pursuing Compensation for Missed & Delayed Diagnosis in Pennsylvania – Call 215-372-8889
There are countless types of injuries, disorders, illnesses, infections, diseases, and other medical conditions that a person may experience in his or her lifetime. Some are more common than others, and some are extremely difficult to diagnose because their symptoms mimic those of other conditions.
All of these challenges aside, your doctor should take reasonable steps to accurately diagnose your illness or injury. This may include ordering additional tests or referring you to a specialist.
Misdiagnosis is one of the primary grounds for medical malpractice lawsuits in the United States. If you sought medical treatment but received an incorrect diagnosis, were diagnosed too late, or were improperly discharged when you needed medical care, The Villari Firm, PLLC can help. We represent patients in Philadelphia and throughout the surrounding areas who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have lost loved ones as a result of diagnostic error. We are here to listen and help, and we take an unrelenting approach to misdiagnosis cases, fighting for the complete compensation our clients need and deserve.
To find out how we can help you, call 215-372-8889 for a free, no-obligation consultation with our Philadelphia misdiagnosis lawyer.
What are the Different Types of Diagnostic Errors?
A diagnostic error occurs when a doctor makes a mistake in a patient’s diagnosis. While many diagnostic errors are commonly referred to as “misdiagnosis”, there are actually important distinctions between different types of diagnostic errors.
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Misdiagnosis happens when a doctor evaluates your symptoms and test results but comes up with an incorrect diagnosis.
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Delayed diagnosis/failure to diagnose happens when a doctor fails to identify the signs and symptoms of an illness or injury in a timely manner. Certain conditions, like cancer or a heart attack, are best treated (or may only be treatable) if they are caught early.
Both types of diagnostic errors are very serious and can result in painful consequences for the patient, including being prescribed the wrong medication, subjected to unnecessary procedures, or wrongfully discharged when you needed medical care.
If your doctor failed to properly diagnose your injury or illness, a Philadelphia misdiagnosis attorney from The Villari Firm, PLLC may be able to assist you in taking legal action against your doctor or another at-fault party.
How Do I Prove that Misdiagnosis/Delayed Diagnosis Occurred?
It’s very unlikely that your doctor will admit to making a diagnostic error. They do not want to be subject to a medical malpractice lawsuit or damage their reputation in the medical community. So how do you know if your doctor made a mistake when diagnosing your condition?
The following are grounds for a misdiagnosis lawsuit:
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Establishing duty of care: this means that you had a doctor-patient relationship where the doctor has a responsibility to treat you, including emergency room care.
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Violation of standard of care: the doctor who treated you did not correctly diagnose your condition where another medical professional would have under the same circumstances.
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Factual cause of injury: the doctor’s diagnostic mistake was the direct cause of the harm you sustained.
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Damages suffered: the doctor’s misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose cause you (or your loved one) to suffer harm, whether physical or emotional.
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Certification of Merit: medical malpractice claims in Pennsylvania must include a signed certificate from an expert witness that the case has merit.
Our experienced Philadelphia misdiagnosis attorney has successfully represented dozens of medical malpractice victims in Philadelphia, including patients who have suffered from wrong diagnoses. We can thoroughly investigate your case, evaluate medical records, and speak with medical experts in order to prove your case!
You may have suffered serious injury from a condition that would have been treatable, had it been accurately identified. You may have suffered emotional trauma from believing you had a life-threatening illness, when it was actually treatable. Your physical and emotional injuries may affect every area of your life and our Philadelphia misdiagnosis lawyer is here to help you seek justice for your suffering.
For more information on misdiagnoses, delayed diagnoses, and your right to compensation, call 215-372-8889 or contact us online. Your initial consultation is free!