Going to the doctor, whether for a routine check-up or to seek treatment for certain ailments, is usually a source of comfort. As medical professionals with years of training, doctors are trusted to provide the care patients need. A critical part of that duty is making a prompt and accurate diagnosis.

Unfortunately, medical errors often lead to the delayed diagnosis of serious conditions, which can have devastating consequences for patients and their families. If this has happened to you or a loved one, a Charlottesville delayed diagnosis lawyer at MichieHamlett can review your case and explain your legal options. Please call our seasoned failure to diagnose attorneys today for a free consultation.

What Are the Consequences of a Delayed Diagnosis?

When a diagnosis of a disease or condition is delayed, the consequences can be serious. One of the biggest risks of a delayed diagnosis is that the condition will spread to a point where it is no longer treatable. For example, certain types of cancer can metastasize rapidly when untreated, resulting in a fatal outcome.

Another risk of a delayed diagnosis is that the patient will be misdiagnosed and treated for a condition they do not have. This can result in pain, suffering, medical bills, and other unnecessary losses.

Causes of Delayed Diagnosis

If a patient doesn’t accurately disclose the extent of their symptoms or misrepresents their health history, this can contribute to the risk of a delayed diagnosis. More often, however, a delayed diagnosis is the result of medical malpractice. Examples of medical malpractice that can result in a delayed diagnosis include:

  • Failing to refer a patient to a specialist
  • Failing to conduct the correct tests
  • Incorrectly interpreting laboratory and other test results
  • Failing to get a complete catalog of a patient’s symptoms
  • Mixing up patients’ charts
  • Failing to spend enough time with a patient to understand their symptoms, medical history, family medical history, etc. in order to make a proper diagnosis

Your Rights Following a Delayed Diagnosis

Not having a condition diagnosed, and knowing that you’ve suffered harm and damages that you would not have suffered but for that delayed diagnosis, is a sinking feeling. At the law office of MichieHamlett, our Charlottesville delayed diagnosis lawyers know what you’re going through, and we want to help you recover compensation for your damages. If you can prove that malpractice occurred, you can seek compensation for the value of your pain, suffering, emotional distress, medical bills, lost wages, and other economic and non-economic losses associated with the medical malpractice.

Call Our Attorneys Today

Our lawyers will support you by building your claim, proving malpractice, hiring experts, calculating damages, managing your case documents, reviewing settlement offers, and aggressively advocating for the full amount you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with a Charlottesville delayed diagnosis lawyer, contact us at MichieHamlett today by phone or message us online at your convenience.