When a doctor or other medical care professional has failed to provide the patient with a timely diagnosis, serious consequences and harm can result. Victims of a delayed diagnosis, failure to diagnose or erroneous diagnosis and treatment may all be able to seek remedies for the harm they have suffered through a medical malpractice claim for damages.
In many circumstances and medical conditions, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke and others, it is essential that the medical condition be diagnosed as timely as possible. When the victim has suffered harm, such as a worsened condition, because of the delayed diagnosis, failure to diagnose or erroneous diagnosis, medical malpractice protections may be available to them and their families. The consequences of a delayed diagnosis or delayed treatment can be fatal.
It is important for doctors and other medical care professionals to carefully listen and respond to the patient’s symptoms and medical history. It is also important that they carefully examine the patient. When a doctor or medical care provider fails to order the proper tests; fails to have the tests properly conducted; misreads the tests; or ignores the signs and symptoms the patient is presenting, they may be liable for the harm that results because of their medical error through a medical malpractice claim for damages.
Depending on the circumstances, either a victim or the victim’s family may wish to bring a medical malpractice claim for damages. A delayed diagnosis can result in the victim receiving delayed treatment, the wrong treatment or no treatment at all which is something the doctor may be liable for when the victim suffers harm as a result.
