When medical professionals misdiagnose a health condition, it can have dire consequences for a patient’s well-being. An otherwise treatable medical condition, like certain cancers, can become life-threatening if it is not caught early.

If you believe your health condition was made worse as the result of a medical professional’s misdiagnosis, you should speak with a Columbia failure to diagnose lawyer immediately. Contact our team of seasoned medical malpractice attorneys today to learn more.

Different Types of Misdiagnoses

When a misdiagnosis results from a breach in following a sufficient standard of care or generally accepted medical protocols, the patient could have a potential medical malpractice suit. It is important to remember that a failure to diagnose can happen in many ways for Columbia patients.

Failed or Late Diagnoses

One of the most common diagnostic errors is a general failure to diagnose a condition. This can lead the patient to believe they are in good health as their medical condition worsens. Another diagnostic error that could allow a legal claim is when a medical professional correctly diagnoses the condition too late, known as a delayed diagnosis.

False Positive

If a medical professional provides an incorrect diagnosis, this is known as a false positive. A patient could undergo unnecessary medical procedures or treatments that harm their overall health while the actual medical condition goes undetected.

Other Causes of Misdiagnoses

A doctor could also misdiagnose a health condition by failing to properly analyze lab test results, communicating effectively with patients to understand their symptoms, or adequately reviewing their medical history. A Columbia lawyer investigates your case to determine what incident led to the doctor’s failure to diagnose.

Commonly Misdiagnosed Medical Conditions

How a patient’s symptoms manifest, limitations on modern medicine and the general nature of a health condition can lead to more frequent diagnosis failures. Some examples of diseases or illnesses that are commonly misdiagnosed include the following:

  • Cancers
  • Heart conditions
  • Stroke
  • Lyme disease
  • Lupus
  • Sepsis
  • Blood clots
  • Pulmonary embolism

Many of these health conditions are more challenging to identify because their symptoms overlap with other illnesses. However, you may still have the right to file a claim if your doctor misdiagnoses you with the wrong condition, which is something a Columbia attorney could explain during a consultation.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Due to Misdiagnosis

When a Columbia medical professional misdiagnoses an illness or health condition, the patient could have a valid claim for medical malpractice, pursuant to  S.C. Code Ann. § 15-79-110.

This holds medical professionals liable for malpractice when their actions fail to comply with the proper standard of care for a reasonably prudent healthcare practitioner in that field.

To pursue a medical malpractice claim, you must first serve the medical professional with a notice of intent to file suit, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-79-125. The notice must provide details about the basis for your claim.

Additionally, you must file an affidavit from a medical expert, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-36-100. Based on the case facts, the affidavit must identify at least one breach in the correct standard of care by the allegedly at-fault party. You must also undertake mediation with the medical professional within 90 to 120 days of serving the notice of intent to file suit.

Potential Damages For Medical Malpractice

If successful, you can pursue a range of compensation pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-32-210. Economic damages include losses with a monetary value, such as medical bills and lost wages or earning potential. Non-economic damages are more subjective, including pain and suffering, loss of consortium, permanent disability, and emotional distress.

Get Connected to a Columbia Failure to Diagnose Attorney

If you believe you experienced adverse medical consequences because of a healthcare professional’s failure to properly diagnose your condition, do not delay speaking with our team at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda.

A Columbia failure to diagnose lawyer could study the facts of your case and collect the necessary evidence to establish your claim. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.

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