When you are sick, early intervention is critical. Prompt treatment often provides individuals facing a serious illness with the best chance of recovery. When people receive a medical diagnosis, they need to work with their doctors to strategize the best treatment options. However, when a patient receives a delayed diagnosis, they may be unable to access the early medical treatment they need. A delayed diagnosis often leads to a delay in medical care, which can result in severe consequences.
If you believe you suffered harm because your doctor failed to diagnose your health condition promptly, you should consult with an experienced failure to diagnose attorney. A Toledo delayed diagnosis lawyer at Zoll & Kranz, LLC could help determine if you are eligible to file a medical malpractice claim against the negligent physician.
Problems that Can Occur Because of Delayed Diagnoses
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.
Reasons Why Medical Workers Fail to Diagnose Patients in Toledo
Many different types of medical errors can contribute to a delayed diagnosis, including:
- Laboratory mix-ups and other errors
- Delays in the laboratory’s review of tests
- Failed communication between doctors and patients
- Physicians failing to recognize a patient’s symptoms
- Failed communication between laboratory and doctors
- Physicians neglecting to order the correct diagnostic tests based on a patient’s symptoms
Our compassionate legal team understands the devastating effect delayed diagnosis can have on a patient and their family. A trusted Toledo delayed diagnosis attorney could assist in seeking justice against the negligent healthcare worker who compromised their health.
Call a Toledo Delayed Diagnosis Attorney
Although any diagnosis of a serious injury or illness is scary, the sooner you find out, the better. An early diagnosis provides patients with the best chance of finding a cure or managing their symptoms. If a physician fails to diagnose an illness, the patient could suffer dire health consequences.
When your doctor fails to make a timely diagnosis, and you experience subsequent harm, call a Toledo delayed diagnosis lawyer at Zoll & Kranz, LLC. Schedule your free consultation today.