When a patient visits a doctor with an ailment, it is the physician’s responsibility to accurately diagnose the patient’s condition. He or she must order the appropriate diagnostic tests, ask questions about the patient’s symptoms and medical history, and use standard techniques to assess and identify the illness. Unfortunately, not all doctors uphold this duty of care while diagnosing patients, leading to medically misdiagnosed conditions that can worsen over time.
If you received a misdiagnosis, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim against the at-fault physician. The Kansas City medical misdiagnosis attorneys at Goza & Honnold, LLC can represent your claim, helping you secure the compensation you need to recover.
Why Choose Us
- We understand how painful it can be to recover from medical misdiagnosis. Our attorneys will handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on treatment, not paperwork.
- Our attorney’s track record speaks for itself. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients and have received some of the most prestigious trial and litigation awards.
- We believe in honest and open communication throughout your case. Our attorneys will take the time to learn your story and answer any questions you may have.
- We are Kansas City medical malpractice attorneys with years of experience, who are here to fight for you and your loved ones.
What is Medical Misdiagnosis?
Physicians are not required by law to be perfect when diagnosing medical conditions. However, they must perform their job with a reasonably high level of attention, care, and competence. If a physician misses a diagnosis, and another doctor with the same experience and skill would have likely made a timely and accurate diagnosis if placed under similar circumstances, it is considered medical malpractice. This type of medical error can lead to improper treatment, progression of a preexisting illness or disease, or even death. As a result, the negligent physician can be legally liable for any harm a patient suffers.
Medical Conditions Commonly Misdiagnosed
Medical misdiagnosis can apply to a broad range of medical conditions. Some examples of ailments that are commonly misdiagnosed include:
- Cancer
- Heart Attack
- Appendicitis
- Stroke
- Meningitis
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Pulmonary Embolism
These medical conditions typically require a doctor to act quickly to prevent a serious threat to the patient’s health. However, there are many more conditions where misdiagnosis occurs. Other examples include lupus, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, thyroid conditions, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome. To protect yourself, make sure to take notes, write down your symptoms, ask your doctor questions, and do your own research.
The Dangers of Medical Misdiagnosis
We expect doctors to fully examine any symptoms we experience and provide an accurate diagnosis. Misdiagnosis can cause severe harm, leading to prolonged injuries, worsening complications, and the progression of serious illnesses. For example, say you go to the doctor after experiencing sudden weight loss and blood in your stool. These are hallmark symptoms of cancer that adequately trained doctors should recognize.
At your appointment, your doctor simply congratulates you on your weight loss without checking your symptoms. A few months later, your symptoms worsen and another doctor diagnoses you with stage III colon cancer. If the first doctor had ordered the proper tests, your condition and prognosis may have been much better than its current state.
If you suffer an injury or a worsening illness due to medical misdiagnosis, you may be eligible for a medical malpractice claim against the physician. To prove your right to compensation, you must prove that he or she did not uphold the accepted standard of care while diagnosing your condition. At Goza & Honnold, LLC, our attorneys will partner with expert medical witnesses who can validate your injuries and provide insight on what a reasonably prudent and similarly trained medical professional would have done under the same circumstances.
Why You Need an Albuquerque Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyer
Medical misdiagnosis cases can be highly challenging for patients to prove. The most significant hurdles tend to be gathering enough evidence to establish that the healthcare provider’s conduct amounted to medical negligence and going up against insurance companies who have teams of attorneys and are willing to spend an excessive amount of money to defeat medical malpractice cases. Hiring a lawyer experienced in handling medical misdiagnosis cases will be critical to ensuring you are treated and compensated fairly. An attorney will have the resources to gather the evidence you need, hire medical experts to testify in support of your case, and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
How Long Do You Have to File a Missouri Medical Malpractice Claim?
If you discover that your doctor misdiagnosed you, it is important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. Missouri sets a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, on civil lawsuits. If you do not file by the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your claim without awarding compensation.
In Missouri, you have two years from the date of the misdiagnosis to file your lawsuit. However, you may not discover the impact of the misdiagnosis until much later. If your case involves the physician’s negligent failure to inform you of your test results, you have two years from the date you discovered or should have reasonably discovered the injury to file your claim. To determine your specific filing deadline, speak to an attorney at Goza & Honnold, LLC.
Types of Compensation in Medical Misdiagnosis Claims
Medical misdiagnosis victims are entitled to recover the following types of compensation:
- Medical expenses: Including costs for current and future care, transportation to and from doctor appointments, medical equipment, prescription medication expenses, and more.
- Lost wages: Current and future lost income.
- Diminished earning capacity: If you can no longer make the same level of income as before.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Life expectancy reduction
- Funeral and burial costs in cases of wrongful death
The amount of compensation you can recover will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. Factors that will typically be considered include your age, how the misdiagnosis has impacted your quality of life and will in the future, any change to your life expectancy, the pain and suffering you have endured, the length of recovery time that was added to your existing recovery, and the nature or severity of the condition that was misdiagnosed, and the healthcare provider’s degree of negligence.
Contact a Kansas City Medical Misdiagnosis Attorney
Doctors must uphold their duty of care while treating patients. If your doctor misdiagnosed your condition and you suffered injury or a worsening illness because of his or her misdiagnosis, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. In these situations, Goza & Honnold, LLC can help.
Contact us today to discuss your legal options with one of our Kansas City medical misdiagnosis lawyers.