Delayed diagnosis, also known as Failure To Diagnose, is one of the most serious types of medical mistakes. When doctors fail to recognize a condition in a reasonable amount of time, it can lead to the worsening of an illness that was entirely avoidable. In some situations, this means missing the window for successful treatment.
If your doctor failed to determine the nature or extent of your illness in a reasonable amount of time, a Miami delayed diagnosis lawyer could help. A civil settlement cannot erase a medical mistake, but it can provide you with the chance to secure compensation for your losses. Talk to a dedicated malpractice lawyer today to learn more.
A delayed diagnosis means that a medical provider identified a patient’s condition, but failed to do so in a reasonable amount of time. In some cases, this can mean extending the discomfort or agony well beyond what was required. In the most serious scenarios, the window to treat a fatal illness could close forever.
That said, it is important to understand that not every delay in correctly identifying a disease is a sign of negligence. Certain conditions share symptoms, and other serious illnesses might have few, if any, symptoms at all in the early stages. It is not enough to show that a patient had a disease for a period of time before it was recognized by medical professionals.
Different parties might share in the fault of a delayed diagnosis. Typically, a physician or surgeon is ultimately responsible for a patient’s care. Because they make important decisions, they are also frequently liable for errors that occur.
Other parties might be at fault, however. Nurses have significant responsibilities, and an error can have steep consequences. The same is true for certain lab technicians and hospital administrators.
Regardless of who is at fault, a Miami delayed diagnosis attorney could help a person seek compensation. The first step in this process is for a lawyer to identify all of the parties potentially at fault.
The remedy for a successful malpractice suit is financial compensation. Money cannot erase the mistake made by a medical professional, but it can provide for the patient’s financial, emotional, and physical needs. Some of the damages a lawyer in Miami might pursue in a delayed diagnosis claim include the following:
Once the correct diagnosis is made, there is typically a scramble to provide treatment that should have started months or years earlier. This can lead to bad outcomes and dramatically increased costs. It is only fair for the negligent party to pay for medical expenses related to their error.
When someone receives a delayed diagnosis, the worst-case scenario is that the condition has advanced to the point where it is beyond treatment. Even if medical care is possible, many people are unable to work due to the severity of their illness. In that situation, compensation based on missing time away from work may be available.
A misdiagnosis can also lead to unnecessary, avoidable pain. This is true of emotional distress as well. Because the condition should have been identified much earlier in the process, damages may be available for the pain and suffering that could have been avoided.
If your medical care providers fail to identify your condition in a timely manner, it can lead to devastating health issues. You are entitled to pursue justice, and a Miami delayed diagnosis lawyer is here to help. Reach out right away to discuss your claim during a confidential consultation.
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