Elgin Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Many medical conditions require early detection and prompt treatment to assure recovery. In Elgin failure to diagnose a health problem often reduces the treatment options available, and may lead to increased suffering, complications, medical intervention or even death.
Medical malpractice lawyers know all too well that quickly identifying the effects of a delayed or incorrect diagnosis is critical because the ensuing expenses for treating the damage they can cause are often quite high. For example, a delay of just three months in a cancer diagnosis typically results in the need for more aggressive treatments and a higher mortality rate, according to the American Cancer Society.
Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Conditions such as high cholesterol, kidney disease, sleep disorders and depression are often misdiagnosed as other ailments. Conversely, physicians are more likely to over-diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Incorrectly diagnosing any of these conditions may lead to medication errors and unnecessary or unauthorized medical procedures.
Doctors are not the only health care providers who may be implicated in a medical malpractice claim. Tests are often required for diagnosis, and they may be performed or interpreted by another medical professional. Many specialists may participate in rendering a diagnosis, including the following:
- Radiologists
- Pathologists
- Phlebotomists
- Nurses
- Laboratory workers
It is critical for members of the health care team working on a patient’s diagnosis to perform their duties with the utmost accuracy.
Delayed Diagnosis
The burden of proof in this type of claim lies with the patient, and the results of the missed or incorrect diagnosis must be linked directly to the effects suffered. In addition, this type of lawsuit is often highly contested. It is important for the patient to have access to legal representation that can provide research-based evidence, medical experts and specialists to demonstrate the validity of the malpractice suit.
If you believe a missed or delayed diagnosis has negatively affected your treatment or recovery, contact us at (312) 726-1021 to schedule a free consultation with the team of medical malpractice attorneys at Cary J. Wintroub and Associates in Chicago. Whether the issue is failure-to-diagnose, birth injuries, surgical errors, anesthesia errors, breeches of doctor-patient confidentiality, or another form of malpractice, our Illinois medical malpractice lawyers may be able to help you obtain proper treatment and compensation for injuries sustained as a result of medical negligence or error.
