Medical Malpractice Lawsuits for Misdiagnosis

by Kristen White Blogger

One of the most common causes of medical malpractice cases is that of doctor misdiagnosis. It is not necessarily the act of misdiagnosing a person that results in medical malpractice lawsuits, rather, it is the injury that occurs as a result of the misdiagnosis. As with any illness, it is necessary to take treatment in order to manage it or stop it in its tracks. But when an illness is misdiagnosed it can result in a patient receiving unnecessary treatment. This article will discuss what can be done when you receive unnecessary treatment after a misdiagnosis.

In most cases, unnecessary treatment can result in severe injury and internal damage to a patient. This is because the treatment is meant for a specific set of conditions which the patient does not have. As a result, the medication, surgery or other treatment can do harm to the body.

There are many instances whereby doctors misdiagnose a patient because the condition appears at something else. This is mainly because of the manner in which healthcare is provided. A patient comes in with symptoms and appearances and a doctor is expected, thanks to their education, experience and know-how of illnesses and medication, to diagnose the condition. The possibility of a lawsuit with regards to misdiagnosis is generally low when medical professionals properly follow procedures and follow the standard procedure . That being said, a misdiagnosis is a common problem with regards to certain conditions because they may appear and have the same symptoms and signs as other conditions. So even though a doctor may have additional help to try and figure out what the problem is, he or she may misdiagnose the patient until other signs or issues appear.

The harm caused by unnecessary treatment depends on the type of treatment that is administered. It is possible for the patient to suffer injury, severe or life- altering and dangerous problems as a result of the treatment itself. While others may have procedures done that do nothing to the body or cause no damage. Generally, this is dependent on the doctor being able to catch the problem quickly or their using processes that are slight at first in order to determine the nature of the condition and its severity. The more aggressive the medication or treatment is, the greater the risk of harm to the body.

Some doctors may choose to delay diagnosis when they are unsure, others choose to treat the symptoms while they wait for additional testing and investigations to determine what the actual problem is. Conversely, a patient may choose to consult a second or third doctor when the initial diagnosis is incorrect. A second doctor is able to provide support and services to ensure that the correct treatment is being administered. By seeking a second opinion the patient is able to get assistance if they choose to file a claim against the first doctor for negligence and injury. The second doctor is able to explain what the first doctor did wrong and how the incorrect medication or treatment was administered.

To seek legal recourse for medical malpractice due to misdiagnosis seek out a personal injury attorney in Anchorage Ak .

Resource Box: For attorneys in Anchorage Alaska , the author recommends the Crowson Law Group.