Misdiagnosis Lawyers Representing Baltimore, MD Patients Suffering Injury from Misdiagnosis/Failure to Diagnose 

Due to the nature of the human body, the practice of medicine inherently involves a margin of error. For example, there are many medical conditions and illnesses that mimic the appearance and symptoms of others, so the diagnosis of a patient’s condition is not always straightforward. However, medical professionals responsible for diagnosing patients must use an appropriate diagnostic method to reduce this margin of error and provide the most accurate diagnosis for a patient in a timely manner. If they fail, the physician could inflict severe injury on the patient. 

At Peter Angelos Law, our team has years of experience assisting clients in Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick, Towson, Bowie, and throughout Maryland state-wide with medical malpractice claims. Our misdiagnosis lawyers believe that when medical professionals fail to uphold the standard of care for a patient, those medical professionals should absorb liability for the resulting damages. 

What Is Misdiagnosis?

There are many reasons to file a medical malpractice claim, and misdiagnosis is one of the most common in the United States. A misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor or other diagnosing medical professional delivers an incorrect or incomplete diagnosis. Legal misdiagnosis occurs due to failure to adhere to the standard of care for the patient and the appropriate diagnostic methods the patient’s condition required.

Misdiagnosis is incredibly dangerous for several reasons. First, if the doctor delivers an incorrect diagnosis, the patient may undergo additional medical treatment they do not need. In some cases, this can be incredibly dangerous and cause additional physical injuries to the patient. Second, an incorrect diagnosis followed by inappropriate treatment can mean that the patient’s actual condition does not receive the attention it deserves before it worsens. When combined with the potential effects of unnecessary harmful treatment, this lack of correct treatment can create serious medical problems for the patient or even put their life in jeopardy. 

What Is Failure to Diagnose? 

A failure to diagnose is relatively self-explanatory. This type of medical malpractice occurs when a diagnosing physician fails to deliver an accurate diagnosis to their patient in a timely manner. In some cases, this delay can be fatal. In others, the patient’s condition may deteriorate in unpredictable ways. If another similarly skilled medical professional in the same situation could have diagnosed the patient correctly, the physician’s inaction likely constitutes medical malpractice. 

Failure to diagnose may also occur due to the fault of another party aside from the diagnosing physician. For example, if the patient required medical imaging, and their scanned images must be examined by a radiologist or similar professional, that individual has a professional duty to interpret the scanned images correctly. It is possible for a doctor to deliver a misdiagnosis due to a technical issue with the medical equipment used for testing as well as the error of the specialist responsible for conducting, handling, or interpreting the patient’s tests.

Potential Damages from Misdiagnosis/Failure to Diagnose 

Some patients who experience misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose are fortunate enough to receive appropriate treatment from other doctors after their primary doctors fail to conduct appropriate diagnostic procedures. Other patients, unfortunately, experience a wide range of adverse effects, from developing worsened symptoms or additional medical conditions to life-threatening situations. 

If you or a loved one experienced a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose, the incident may have resulted in additional medical expenses, pain and suffering, and a longer recovery period that prevented you from returning to work for an extended time. A medical malpractice claim can potentially yield compensation for these and any other damages you incurred from a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose. Your misdiagnosis lawyer can help you calculate the total scope of your claimable damages and guide you through your legal proceedings with confidence. 

Find Your Baltimore, MD Misdiagnosis Lawyer Today 

If you or a loved one experienced a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose, a misdiagnosis lawyer is your best asset when it comes to recovering your damages and holding the negligent medical professional accountable for their actions. The medical malpractice claims process is difficult, but with reliable and experienced legal representation on your side, you can approach your claim with confidence. The attorney team at Peter Angelos Law has the skills and resources necessary to guide you through your misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose claim. If you want free answers to your most important legal questions from an experienced Baltimore, MD misdiagnosis attorney, contact Peter Angelos Law today to schedule a consultation.