Experienced Philadelphia Misdiagnosis And Diagnosis Error Attorneys
Patients rely on doctors to correctly identify their medical conditions. When misdiagnosis occurs, patients may receive the wrong treatment or no treatment at all. This can lead to worsening conditions, serious harm or even death. At Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP, our attorneys handle misdiagnosis cases throughout Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. We help victims seek justice when diagnostic errors cause preventable harm.
What Is Misdiagnosis?
Medical misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor incorrectly identifies a patient’s condition or fails to identify it at all. This includes giving a wrong diagnosis, missing a condition entirely or making a delayed diagnosis. Diagnostic errors are more common than many people realize.
When doctors misdiagnose conditions, patients may undergo treatments they do not need or miss critical early treatment windows. Serious conditions like cancer, heart disease and stroke require prompt and accurate diagnosis. A delayed diagnosis can mean the difference between recovery and lifelong harm.
What Causes Medical Misdiagnosis?
Many factors can lead to failure to diagnose or misdiagnose a condition. Our team has handled cases involving various causes of these errors in Philadelphia hospitals and medical practices. Common causes of misdiagnosis include:
- Failure to order appropriate tests or delayed testing
- Misreading test results, lab work or medical imaging
- Failure to consider a patient’s complete medical history
- Poor communication between doctors, nurses and other medical staff
- Inadequate physical examination of the patient
- Dismissing or ignoring patient symptoms and complaints
- Rushing to conclusions without proper evaluation
These errors often stem from carelessness, overwork or failure to follow proper protocols. When doctors fail to meet accepted standards of care, patients suffer the consequences.
When Should You File A Misdiagnosis Claim?
In Pennsylvania, you must file medical malpractice claims two years from when the injury took place. However, the discovery rule may extend this deadline in misdiagnosis cases.
For example, a cancer misdiagnosis might not become clear until the disease progresses. In these cases, the two-year period may start when you discover the error. Given these time limits, we urge you to contact our firm promptly to protect your legal rights.
Does Getting Treatment Prevent You From Recovering Damages?
No. Receiving treatment for injuries caused by misdiagnosis does not prevent you from recovering damages. Getting proper medical care addresses the harm you suffered. It does not eliminate your right to seek compensation.
In fact, treatments help document your injuries and losses. Our attorneys can help you seek compensation while you focus on your recovery.
What Is The Difference Between Misdiagnosis And Failure To Diagnose?
Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor gives an incorrect diagnosis such as diagnosing a heart attack as indigestion. Failure to diagnose occurs when a doctor does not identify a condition at all or significantly delays the diagnosis.
Both types of errors can constitute medical malpractice in Pennsylvania. In either case, we must show that the doctor failed to meet accepted standards of care and that this failure caused you harm.
Our Philadelphia Misdiagnosis Attorneys Are Ready To Help
At Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP, we have served the Philadelphia community since 1954. Call us at 215-790-0100 or send an email to discuss your case.
