Misdiagnosis Versus Missed Diagnosis: Which Applies to My Case?

 Posted on July 10, 2020 in Medical Malpractice

Unfortunately, a high number of patients each year suffer from unexplained symptoms and inaccurate diagnoses. Patients often forget that despite the responsibility that medical professionals are given, they do make unintentional mistakes from time to time. While this may be acceptable in other professional fields, a seemingly minor mixup from a nurse, doctor, or other medical professionals can be deadly. If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, it is pertinent that you seek legal help immediately. This timeliness will allow you to make an accurate claim and receive deserved compensation to cover any impending medical bills, time lost at work, or other financial obligations.

Which Claim Can I Pursue?

All lawsuits concerning healthcare discrepancies fall under the large legal umbrella of medical malpractice. However, you and your attorney will need to pinpoint which type of issue you are dealing with. Two common cases that legal professionals handle are victims of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. Although the terms are similar, the details of your case will dictate which one to pursue.

Even with the years of training and experience under their belt, healthcare professionals can make a mistake when classifying your symptoms. For those who receive an incorrect diagnosis for an illness or condition, their case is considered a misdiagnosis. This commonly occurs when a doctor classifies your average symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or a sore throat, as a minor cold rather than a more serious condition, such as pneumonia. For those individuals who did not receive a diagnosis of any kind, their case is known as a missed diagnosis. This frequently happens with cancer cases. Because cancer does not always present itself outwardly, your minor, general symptoms may not amount to anything in the doctor’s eyes. Unfortunately, this can leave patients unaware of their condition until the cancer is in its advanced stages.

Common Examples

There are particular illnesses or conditions that frequently fly under medical professionals’ radars. Because of the general nature of their symptoms, it can be difficult for doctors to recognize their true form. The following are commonly misdiagnosed and missed diagnosed illnesses that you should be aware of:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - This condition is evident when noticing consistent serious bowel movements, such as diarrhea. However, IBS can often be mistaken for food allergies, Crohn’s disease, and various forms of cancer.

2. Lyme Disease - This disease is caused by the bites of ticks. Unfortunately, a rash does not always appear, and the other symptoms are inconsistent, leaving many doctors uncertain.

3. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Neurologists often struggle to diagnose MS patients as their symptoms are similar to common conditions, such as fibromyalgia, migraines, and other minor neurological conditions.

Contact a Rockford Medical Malpractice Attorney

Those who are victims of misdiagnosis or a missed diagnosis may feel torn with how things should be handled. While it can seem insensitive to blame the medical professional responsible, you must also think of the health ramifications, stacks of bills piling up, and emotional trauma that you have experienced as a result. At Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, we understand how difficult it can be to hear that you have been misinformed on your health status. We work with clients who are victims of medical negligence to help them obtain their deserved compensation. If you have been misdiagnosed or not diagnosed for a potentially life-threatening condition, contact our Winnebago County medical negligence lawyers at 815-215-7561 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.mdlinx.com/article/most-commonly-misdiagnosed-medical-conditions/lfc-4136

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-common-is-misdiagnosis-or-missed-diagnosis-2615481