When Can a Delayed Diagnosis Cause a Patient to Suffer Harm?

 Posted on June 19, 2023 in Medical Malpractice

Patients expect that when they receive treatment from a healthcare provider, the proper steps will be followed to diagnose their condition and create an appropriate treatment plan. Unfortunately, patients do not always receive the proper level of care. A doctor may not fully consider a patient's symptoms, their medical history, or other factors, and they may not diagnose a serious medical condition correctly. When a doctor fails to diagnose a condition in a timely manner, the patient could suffer harm. Delayed diagnosis can lead to worsening health consequences, further pain, disabilities, or even wrongful death. In these situations, it is important for patients to understand the steps they can take if they believe they have been a victim of medical malpractice.

Consequences of a Delayed Diagnosis

There are numerous ways that a failure to diagnose a condition correctly can cause patients to suffer injuries or other forms of harm, including:

• When the diagnosis affects the treatment plan - A delay in diagnosis is likely to result in a delay in treatment for the patient. The longer a patient goes without a proper diagnosis, the more likely it is that their condition will worsen. For example, if a patient is not diagnosed with cancer until after it has reached an advanced stage, their treatment options might be more limited, and their condition could even become terminal.

• When the condition is contagious - A delay in diagnosis for a contagious condition not only puts the patient's health at risk, but it may also affect the health and safety of others. The patient may unknowingly spread the disease to family members, coworkers, or others they interact with while they are waiting on a diagnosis. In some cases, this could even result in an outbreak of a contagious illness.

• When the patient experiences unnecessary pain and suffering - A delayed diagnosis can lead to serious issues that may affect a patient's overall health and well-being. For example, if a patient has an undiagnosed autoimmune disease, they may experience symptoms such as joint pain and fatigue that can significantly affect their day-to-day life.

• When the diagnosis affects the patient's mental health - A delay in diagnosis can cause a variety of emotional difficulties for a patient. Waiting on a diagnosis can be stressful and anxiety-inducing, which can lead to depression and other mental health concerns. In some cases, a delayed diagnosis could also affect a patient's ability to receive the necessary mental health treatment or therapy.

• When the diagnosis is a rare or complex condition - Some conditions can be more challenging to diagnose than others. In cases where a patient has a rare condition, or if they experience multiple health issues that may require complex forms of treatment, a delay in diagnosis could cause the patient to go without the essential medical care and treatment they need for an extended period of time. This can cause the patient significant harm, and it may even lead to permanent disabilities in some situations.

Contact Our Winnebago County Delayed Diagnosis Lawyers

Patients need timely and accurate diagnoses to ensure that they will receive the proper treatment. A delay in diagnosis can have serious consequences that may affect a patient's health and well-being. In some cases, delayed diagnoses can be life-threatening, or they may result in ongoing conditions that affect a person's quality of life. At Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, our Rockford medical malpractice attorneys can help patients understand how to address injuries or other forms of harm caused by a delayed diagnosis. To learn how we can help pursue compensation for misdiagnosis and other forms of medical negligence, contact us at 815-215-7561 and arrange a complimentary consultation.

Sources:

https://www.standardsofcare.org/medical-malpractice/types/delayed-diagnosis/

https://www.improvediagnosis.org/what-is-diagnostic-error/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK338594/