Many serious illnesses progress and worsen over time.
Depending on how fast the illness develops and spreads, even a slight delay in receiving a diagnosis can lead to life-altering health consequences.
Common examples include:
Cancer
Advancements in medical care over the last several decades have improved survival rates for cancer patients. With proper treatment, many people with cancer diagnoses can now lead long lives.
However, cancer treatments are most successful when started early.
Delays in treating cancer can allow cancer cells to grow, multiply, and spread around the patient’s body.
Internal Injuries
Patients with internal bleeding or organ damage can develop serious and even fatal consequences if they do not receive prompt treatment.
Heart Problems
Patients may avoid heart attacks if doctors recognize their symptoms, diagnose their clogged arteries, arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeats, and provide treatment accordingly.
Blood Clots
Undiagnosed blood clots can disrupt blood flow to a patient’s organs, potentially leading to severe injuries or fatal outcomes.
Pregnancy Complications
When obstetricians and midwives fail to recognize potentially dangerous conditions such as gestational diabetes, cord problems, or preeclampsia during pregnancy, they risk the lives of both mother and child.
Skilled Toledo delayed diagnosis attorneys could review a patient’s records and consult with other medical professionals to determine the impact of the diagnosis delay on the patient’s health.