The Shocking Impact of a Wrong Diagnosis: What You Need to Know & How a Lawyer Can Help

Have you ever been misdiagnosed by a doctor or medical professional? If so, you know how frustrating and scary it can be. A wrong diagnosis can have serious consequences and even lead to severe injury or death.

What is a Wrong Diagnosis?

A wrong diagnosis is a medical mistake in which a doctor or medical professional incorrectly identifies a health issue or illness. This can happen in a variety of ways, including diagnosing a condition incorrectly, failing to diagnose a condition, or providing a wrong treatment plan. Wrong diagnoses can have serious consequences and can lead to further medical complications, injury, or even death.

How Common is a Wrong Diagnosis?

Unfortunately, wrong diagnoses are more common than you might think. According to a report from the journal, BMJ Quality & Safety, in the U.S., an estimated 12 million people are misdiagnosed each year. The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine reports an estimated 40,000 to 80,000 people die each from misdiagnoses in U.S. hospitals alone.

Causes of Wrong Diagnosis

There are several different factors that can contribute to a wrong diagnosis, including:

• Poor communication between doctor and patient
• Poor medical record-keeping
• Lack of knowledge or experience on the part of the doctor or medical professional
• A poor physical exam or diagnostic testing
• Failure to take patient history into account
• Pressure to diagnose quickly
• Lack of access to quality medical care

Types of Wrong Diagnoses

Wrong diagnoses can be divided into two broad categories – false positives and false negatives. A false positive occurs when a doctor or medical professional incorrectly diagnoses a patient with a condition that they do not have. A false negative is the opposite – when a doctor or medical professional incorrectly diagnoses a patient as not having a condition when they do.

What are the Consequences of a Wrong Diagnosis?

The consequences of a wrong diagnosis can vary depending on the severity of the misdiagnosis. In some cases, a wrong diagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatments or a delay in treatment, which can cause further medical complications. In other cases, a wrong diagnosis can lead to serious injury or even death. No matter the situation, a wrong diagnosis can have a lasting and damaging impact on the patient.

The Impact of a Failure to Diagnosis Cancer

Failure to diagnosis cancer is one of the most serious types of wrong diagnosis, as well as one of the most common. A failure to diagnose cancer often results in the patient going from having a treatable cancer to a cancer that can no longer be treated successfully, resulting in the death of the patient.

Conclusion

A wrong diagnosis can have serious consequences and even lead to severe injury or death. If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed, it is important to understand the causes, types, and consequences of a wrong diagnosis, and to seek the help of an experienced lawyer. Ballenger & Roche can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you believe you or a loved one have been the victim of a wrong diagnosis, contact us today to get the justice you deserve.