Misdiagnosis is the most common type of medical malpractice. When a healthcare provider fails to uphold the standard of care and be duly diligent when a patient comes before them with a medical complaint, the resultant failure to diagnose or misdiagnose can mean serious injuries, illnesses, or fatalities that could have been avoided. If you or a loved one has been the victim of this form of medical negligence then you should speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to explore your legal options.
Misdiagnosis & Failure to Diagnose Lawyer Houston, TX
Get the Help of an Experienced Injury Attorney Board-Certified in Medical Professional Liability
The attorneys at Perdue & Kidd have over 100 years of experience helping plaintiffs get the outcome they need in cases like misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose. Our firm has earned state and national recognition for our skill in handling personal injury and medical malpractice cases. Jim Perdue, Jr. is board-certified in Medical Professional Liability law, a member of the Summit Council, and considered a leader in the field. Jim, along with our firm’s co-founder, Donald Kidd, are much applauded for their fierce advocacy of clients and their record of success. What sets us apart is our high level of expert representation combined with the personal care and focus that you can only get in a boutique law firm. We make insurance companies listen and do what is right for our clients.
Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose cases can be extraordinarily complicated. A medical malpractice attorney at our Houston firm is more than ready and able to face healthcare companies and their insurers no matter how big they are. Contact us to schedule a time to go over your case in a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis so there will never be any out-of-pocket expenses to you if we take on your case. Common
When does Misdiagnosis become Medical Malpractice?
The short answer as to whether or not a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose is an actionable instance of medical malpractice is that it is if the doctor was negligent resulting in the patient getting harmed. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers generally do everything they can to help and not harm. Hospital administration may be responsible for negligence in some cases by overworking staff, understaffing, applying harmful cost-cutting measures, and other actions that may have contributed to the doctor’s mistake. In general, a doctor or healthcare provider is expected to act competently, apply standard procedures, and not skimp on care. Every case is different so the sooner you speak with a medical malpractice attorney, the better.
Common Forms of Negligent Misdiagnosis and Failure to Diagnose
Cancer Misdiagnosis:
- Failure to detect cancer during routine screenings or misinterpretation of biopsy results.
- Delayed cancer diagnosis due to misinterpretation of symptoms or test results.
- Misdiagnosis of benign conditions such as cancer, leads to unnecessary treatments.
Heart Conditions:
- Failure to diagnose heart attacks or myocardial infarctions due to misinterpretation of ECG/EKG results or symptoms.
- Misdiagnosis of angina as heartburn or anxiety.
- Failure to detect congenital heart defects in infants.
Infections:
- Failure to diagnose serious infections, like sepsis or meningitis, in a timely manner.
- Misdiagnosis of bacterial infections as viral, leading to inappropriate treatments (e.g., antibiotics).
Stroke:
- Failure to recognize the signs of a stroke, leads to delayed treatment.
- Misdiagnosis of a stroke as a migraine or other non-neurological condition.
Allergic Reactions:
- Failure to diagnose severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) promptly, potentially leading to
- life-threatening situations.
Gastrointestinal Conditions:
- Misdiagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
- Failure to diagnose gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation.
Obstetric and Gynecological Issues:
- Failure to diagnose ectopic pregnancies, which can be life-threatening.
- Misdiagnosis of gynecological conditions like endometriosis or ovarian cysts.
Medication and Drug-Related Issues:
- Incorrect dosage or prescribing of medications due to misdiagnosis of the patient's condition.
- Failure to recognize and diagnose adverse drug reactions or interactions.
Did a Healthcare Provide Fail to Uphold the Usual Standard of Care? Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer at Perdue & Kidd Today
If a doctor or other healthcare professional was negligent in providing competent medical care to you or a loved one resulting in serious injury or illness then you need the help of an attorney right away. Discuss your case with a medical malpractice attorney with us and see what we can do to recover just compensation for medical costs, pain, loss of earnings, and more.