Even the most experienced doctors can make mistakes, experience temporary lapses of judgment and otherwise err in their diagnoses of patients. The question, then, becomes how you can know if your doctor misdiagnosed your medical condition.
It’s important that you recognize the telltale signs of misdiagnosis, learn how to seek alternative care providers to get a second or third opinion, and, if necessary, enlist legal help on your behalf. If you suspect that your doctor may have given you a wrongful diagnosis, consider these questions.
How much time did your doctor spend with you?
Medical investigations sometimes require a great deal of time and energy on the part of the doctor to arrive at the correct conclusion. If you felt like the diagnostic process was rushed or incomplete, chances are that your gut instinct is right.
What tests did the doctor do?
Some medical conditions, like a black eye or eczema, are fairly self-evident and require little intensive scrutiny. Others are more complex, often calling for involved testing to rule out other possibilities and narrow down the diagnosis. If, for example, you have been experiencing chronic cognitive issues and your doctor did not perform any diagnostic tests such as a CAT scan or MRI, he or she may have had limited data that was insufficient to inform a correct diagnosis.
Are medical opinions for the same issue consistent?
If you have sought a second or third medical opinion and the result differs from the first, you might have received a flawed diagnosis. Seek opinions from as wide of a network of experts as possible to arrive at a possible consensus. Medical malpractice lawyers often represent clients who received incorrect diagnoses in such situations.
Who may help you seek compensation for any damages?
If you’ve been victimized by a wrongful diagnosis and require assistance in your case, you may want to contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. Having a committed legal professional on your side helps ensure that you can present organized evidence in court to support your case.