Orange County Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Many Americans trust that when they visit a doctor with a medical issue, they will receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Sadly, however, doctors in the U.S. fail to properly diagnose their patients’ conditions at an alarming rate. A 2005 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that autopsy reports show doctors misdiagnose patients’ conditions 10 to 15 percent of the time.

A misdiagnosis can have severe, sometimes fatal, consequences for patients. It can result in improper treatment, causing unnecessary pain and suffering. Additionally, when the true condition is left undiagnosed, it may continue to worsen, leading to serious health complications or even death. In some cases, the delay in correct treatment can make the condition harder to treat, significantly reducing the chances of a full recovery. The emotional toll on patients and their families can also be profound, adding to the distress caused by the medical error.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a medical misdiagnosis, you don’t have to endure it alone. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, losses, and pain. Our experienced misdiagnosis attorneys in Orange County have decades of combined expertise in advocating for individuals like you and can help ensure you receive the support and justice you deserve. Contact our office today for a free and confidential consultation with a Orange County personal injury lawyer.

Common Types of Misdiagnosis

Although nearly any condition can be misdiagnosed by a careless doctor, some are more frequently misdiagnosed than others. Below are some of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions in the United States each year. Unfortunately, these misdiagnoses can result in severe injury or even death, given the seriousness of these conditions.

1. Cancer misdiagnosis: Cancer is the most frequently misdiagnosed condition in the United States, according to a Harvard study on medical malpractice cases. Experts attribute this high rate of cancer misdiagnosis primarily to doctors not adhering to proper screening protocols. As a result, patients may not receive timely or accurate treatment, leading to potentially severe or life-threatening consequences. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, making adherence to screening guidelines essential.

2. Infection: The Harvard study also revealed that infections are the second most commonly misdiagnosed condition in hospitals and doctors’ offices across the U.S. Not only does misdiagnosing infections pose significant risks, but hospital errors themselves can also lead to infections in patients. In fact, infections resulting from hospital errors claim the lives of 270 people each day.

3. Heart Attack: Although heart attacks might seem like an obvious condition, they are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms can be vague. Symptoms like nausea, general discomfort, and chest fullness can easily be mistaken for other issues. Studies indicate that women are particularly at higher risk of having their heart attacks misdiagnosed compared to men. This misdiagnosis can delay critical treatment, significantly increasing the risk of severe outcomes or death. Recognizing and addressing the signs of a heart attack early is essential for effective intervention and prevention.

4. Aortic dissection: Although aortic dissection symptoms are generally straightforward to diagnose, patients with more subtle or vague symptoms may be at risk of misdiagnosis. This issue was highlighted by the tragic case of actor John Ritter, whose death was attributed to a missed diagnosis. His widow successfully pursued legal action over this critical error.

5. Clogged arteries: Coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis are often misdiagnosed, which can allow these serious conditions to advance unchecked. This misdiagnosis can lead to worsening health, unnecessary pain, and suffering for patients. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing these diseases effectively and preventing severe complications. Without proper treatment, patients may face increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening issues.

Preventing Misdiagnosis

In order to prevent misdiagnosis, patients can take proactive measures to ensure they receive the correct diagnosis. While these steps can help, it is ultimately the doctor’s responsibility to make a correct diagnosis of your condition. Failure to do so can make him or her culpable for all subsequent suffering and loss you have been made to bear.

The following are some ways to avoid misdiagnosis:

• Ask for additional tests
• Ask your doctor what other conditions could produce similar symptoms

Experts say that the single most common cause of misdiagnosis is a doctor’s failure to consider other possible causes of a patient’s condition. (called premature closing)

• Follow up on all tests and don’t assume no news is good news
• Assume your doctors are not communicating with one another about your condition
• Don’t assume your doctors pass on vital medical information when shift changing
• If you are not sure, get a second opinion (or a third, or even a fourth)

Reasons to suspect misdiagnosis

Along with taking steps to prevent misdiagnosis, it’s important to recognize when a doctor may have made an error. Here are some red flags that could suggest a misdiagnosis:

• Your condition doesn’t improve with treatment
• Your symptoms don’t align with the diagnosis you’ve been given. In such cases, researching your symptoms online or consulting medical resources can be crucial.
• The diagnosis was based solely on one lab test.
• Your doctor attributes uncommon symptoms to a common issue, or vice versa.
• The condition you’ve been diagnosed with typically requires tests you haven’t undergone.

Contact an Orange County Misdiagnosis Lawyer Today

If you believe that your doctor may have made a misdiagnosis, you have some options: you can go back to this original doctor or you can go for a second opinion. While this can often happen before any major damage is caused, in many cases patients suffer as a result of misdiagnosis.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious harm or even wrongful death as a result of misdiagnosis, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your losses and suffering. Please contact our qualified and experienced attorneys at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn today to learn more.