Most Common Causes of a Misdiagnosis in Delaware

A misdiagnosis can destroy a person’s life in a variety of ways. Not only does the possibility open that a person’s medical condition worsens, but some misdiagnosed people might also undergo painful tests, expensive medical procedures, and face the risk of death. When a doctor makes a diagnostic error that leads to any of these consequences, you could file a medical malpractice claim in Delaware for significant compensation. To find out what steps you need to take to accomplish this, all you have to do is contact a Delaware medical malpractice attorney for assistance. 

COMMON MISDIAGNOSIS CAUSES IN DELAWARE

There are dozens of misdiagnoses in Delaware that can harm patients that can be summarized into three main categories of diagnostic errors. These misdiagnosis categories include:

• Incorrect diagnosis
• Delayed diagnosis
• Failure to diagnose

An incorrect diagnosis can lead to painful and unnecessary medical procedures, worsening symptoms, and the risk of death or additional damage depending on the type of medical condition that was missed. Delayed diagnosis and failure to diagnose can have the same effect of worsening symptoms and damages to the patient. Common medical conditions that are missed include cancer, heart conditions, and complex or rare medical disorders.

Failure to diagnose and delayed diagnoses can be caused by:

• Not obtaining enough patient history
• Failing to follow-up with a patient
• Delaying or not ordering tests and not sending the results to the physician
• Too much importance on competing diagnoses
• Not recognizing complications
• Poor communication 
• Not administering close monitoring 

Incorrect diagnoses can happen when:

• Misinterpreting signs and symptoms during an examination
• Wrong medical tests conducted
• Technical errors during medical testing 
• Incorrect interpretation of medical test results

LEGAL STEPS YOU CAN TAKE IN DELAWARE

There are medical malpractice steps in Delaware you can take to secure compensation for any damages you suffered from a misdiagnosis. Taking these steps means you may not have to pay for medical expenses incurred from pointless tests or treatments, lost wages during your recovery, and funeral expenses if you lost a loved one to a diagnostic error. You could also potentially receive compensation for any pain and suffering you endured.

When it comes to filing a medical malpractice claim, there are four main factors you will need to prove. These include proving:

• Causation
• A duty to you as a patient
• Negligence
• Damages

Causation means you need to find evidence that a medical professional caused the damages you suffered. A duty to you as a patient can be proven with evidence of a doctor-patient relationship like through signed forms or medical bill transactions. Negligence involves the misdiagnosis that caused your damages. Your damages can be shown through your medical bills, pay stubs, and testimonies of the suffering you went through. 

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEY IN DELAWARE

Finding evidence for misdiagnosis can be challenging depending on the complexity of the situation. Consider seeking help from a medical malpractice lawyer in Delaware if you are struggling to find the evidence you need to prove your lawsuit. Contact Edelstein Martin & Nelson today at (302) 295-5050 for a free consultation. Our experienced Delaware medical malpractice lawyers are located in Wilmington, Delaware.