A delayed diagnosis of a medical condition is a big deal. If a doctor does not diagnose an illness or condition early enough, the condition can cause permanent disabilities, injury, or death.
The Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorney of the Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers understands how a medical mistake can turn your world upside down. If a delayed diagnosis or other medical negligence caused your injury, we want to help you recover compensation for your losses. We have assisted individuals in holding negligent doctors and medical professionals liable for almost three decades.
Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
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How Our Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Delayed Diagnosis
A delayed diagnosis is a complex medical malpractice matter. A victim of delayed diagnosis has the burden of proving that the doctor committed malpractice. That can be a daunting task if you do not have the resources, skills, and legal knowledge to investigate your claim, gather evidence, and document your damages.
That’s where we come in. Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers is equipped to handle even the most complex medical malpractice cases. Our founding attorney is a Top 25 Medical Malpractice Lawyer and has recovered millions of dollars for victims of medical mistakes.
When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the circumstances that led to your injuries or harm
- Consult medical experts and other health care providers to determine the standard of care for your situation
- Develop an efficient attorney-client relationship that provides the support you need
- Work with you, medical experts, and financial advisors to document the extent of your damages
- Fight to get you the maximum value of your damages
- File all insurance claims and lawsuits necessary to protect your best interests
We fight to hold doctors and other health care providers responsible when they make mistakes or errors such as delayed diagnosis. Contact our law office today to schedule your free case evaluation with a Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorney.
How Common Does a Delayed Diagnosis Occur?
Delayed diagnosis and other diagnostic mistakes are common issues in the healthcare industry.
One study found that diagnostic errors accounted for 17 percent of preventable errors related to hospital patients. According to a review of autopsy studies, nine percent of patients were victims of a diagnostic error while they were alive. It is estimated that thousands of hospitalized patients die each year because of diagnostic errors.
What are Common Causes of Delayed Diagnosis?
Causes of delayed diagnosis range from a patient’s failure to seek medical care to a doctor’s negligence. A patient who does not report all symptoms to their doctor could make it impossible for a doctor to make a diagnosis.
However, most cases of delayed diagnosis are not the patient’s fault. Common factors in delayed diagnosis malpractice cases include:
- Delayed diagnosis linked to high-insurance deductibles or no insurance coverage
- The doctor dismisses the symptoms reported by the patient
- Test results are lost or misinterpreted
- A doctor fails to refer a patient to a specialist
- The doctor notices abnormalities during a routine exam, blood test, or scan, but does not order additional tests
- The doctor correctly diagnosed one condition but failed to recognize that the patient had an additional condition because the doctor stopped searching after finding one problem
When a doctor’s conduct falls short of the accepted standard of care and the patient suffers harm, the doctor may be guilty of medical malpractice.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Delayed Diagnosis
A patient can suffer a variety of injuries and harm because of a delayed diagnosis. The worst result is a wrongful death due to a doctor’s failure to detect an illness or injury early enough for treatment.
Another consequence of a delayed diagnosis could be a permanent impairment or disability. For example, a delayed diagnosis of cancer could result in losing a body part or organ. A patient with diabetes could experience kidney failure due to delayed diagnosis.
Who is Liable for Damages Caused by Delayed Diagnosis?
If a doctor’s conduct harms a patient, they could be financially liable for the patient’s damages. In addition, hospitals, labs, and other medical providers might also share liability for a delayed diagnosis.
Damages that you could recover for a medical malpractice claim might include:
- Lost wages, benefits, and other income
- Cost of medical care and personal care
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Future decrease in earning potential
- Disabilities and impairments
- Reduced quality of life
The value of your medical malpractice claim depends on the severity of your injuries and other factors. Our legal team will work to maximize the value of your claim to get you the money you deserve.
What is the Deadline for Filing a Delayed Diagnosis Claim in Florida?
The statute of limitations in most medical malpractice cases is two years from the date the malpractice was or reasonably should have been discovered. There are very few exceptions to this rule.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Your time to file a medical malpractice claim is limited. Do not delay. Call our office today to request a free case review with our personal injury law firm in Fort Lauderdale.
