Ft. Lauderdale Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Info about Misdiagnosis in Florida

While many people rely on doctors to accurately identify any issues with their health, doctors can sometimes be negligent in doing so, which may lead to misdiagnosis. Those who are not correctly diagnosed can incur serious and sometimes permanent injuries. If you know that a doctor has made a mistake on your health issue, then you should approach a Ft. Lauderdale personal injury attorney at Feingold & Posner, P.A. Our team has the resources you need to begin pursuing your case.

In what situation could I get misdiagnosed?

Though doctors are not expected to perfectly diagnose the issues in a person's body, they are expected to take proper precautions and make sure they explore every avenue of possibility before making a diagnosis. Failure to properly identify a disease can lead to the problem getting worsened either by taking its own course or using the wrong medication. Some common misdiagnoses include the following:

• An incorrect reading of a test such as an MRI or x-ray
• Failure to report a blood test in a reasonable amount of time
• Errors in recording medical history or failure to adequately question a patient
• Inability to recognize a disease or symptoms and treat accordingly
• Failure to follow-up with a patient
• Failure to instruct further testing when necessary

A doctor could also tell a healthy patient that they are sick, which could result in actual sickness, stress, or wasted expenses. A person can recover their losses for this mistake as well.

Determining If Your Doctor Was Negligent

Much of a misdiagnosis claim is based on what a reasonable doctor would have done in your physician's position. The prosecution must prove that the doctor was incompetent or did not provide a realistic standard of care. This involves investigating a doctor's method of diagnosis, called differential diagnosis. A trained physician will evaluate a person's issue by observing them and asking questions about their symptoms, as well as medical history.

The doctor should then make a list of all possible diagnoses according to which is the most likely to be true. He should then order tests to be taken or refer the patient to the appropriate specialists so that they can figure out what is wrong. In an ideal situation, only one diagnosis will remain.

In an emergency situation, chances of misdiagnosis are much higher because medical professionals do not have as much time to investigate the situation. Doctors should still be held accountable, however, if they do not make a reasonable decision. Emergency situations that are often misdiagnosed include strokes, appendicitis, heart attacks, and pulmonary embolism.

Seek Representation from Qualified Legal Professionals!

Medical malpractice cases are often quite difficult to prove because there is so much information needed. Not only must the victim show that they suffered misdiagnosis, but an expert must also confirm the standard of care that should have been performed. In addition, each state has their own laws that protect hospitals and doctors to varying degrees. In light of this, you should make sure that you have lawyers that are suitably qualified for this monumental task.

Fortunately, the Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorneys at Feingold & Posner, P.A. are well-qualified to make sure that you are protected. Our firm is committed to making sure that you get individualized attention so that we know every detail of your case. Rest assured that we will put your needs as a top priority to see to it that you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us at (888) 223-2802 for more information about how we can get started on your case, today!