According to CBS News, approximately 12 million Americans are misdiagnosed by a doctor each year. While we all hope that this will never happen to us, the truth is that it is much more common than most people are aware. In many cases, a diagnostic error may not result in any appreciable harm, but for some people, a mistake can have disastrous consequences. For example, if a doctor diagnoses a tumor as benign when it is, in fact, malignant, the patient will likely not receive the prompt treatment he or she needs to beat cancer, worsening their prognosis and potentially leading to the patient's death.
Here is a list of the ten of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions according to Everyday Health:
- Cancer
- Heart attack
- Depression
- Celiac disease
- Stroke
- Lyme disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Thyroid conditions
- Aortic dissection
- Pulmonary embolism
Examples of Medical Negligence
You may be wondering, how can this happen? Usually, misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses occur when a doctor fails to take adequate time to listen to a patient’s complaints, review their medical history, and order the appropriate tests. Sometimes this is the result of laziness, and sometimes it is the result of incompetence. In either case, the doctor could be subject to a medical malpractice suit if their patient’s condition worsens or if the patient dies because of their mistake.
Consult a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Orange County, CA
If you suspect that you or someone you love has been misdiagnosed and suffered preventable harm because of it, you should immediately seek the advice of a qualified medical malpractice attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. The Law Office of Marshall Silberberg has decades of experience fighting for the rights of the injured and is prepared to offer you a free evaluation of your case. To request yours, please contact us at (949) 565-4281.