When a patient experiences symptoms and visits a doctor, they trust they will be diagnosed and treated accordingly. Unfortunately, misdiagnoses are frighteningly common in the United States, with approximately 12 million patients misdiagnosed each year. While some patients have general symptoms that are challenging to diagnose, many others have symptoms that go undiagnosed due to doctor negligence.
If you have suffered a misdiagnosis in Massachusetts that caused you significant harm, you have the legal right to file a medical malpractice claim to compensate for the losses you have suffered. The skilled misdiagnosis lawsuit lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan understand how challenging and painful a misdiagnosis can be. We are dedicated to thoroughly investigating every claim and advocating for our clients on their behalf so they can focus solely on their recovery. When you partner with us, you can rest assured that your lawyer will fight tirelessly for justice on your behalf. Call us at (774) 341-5778 or complete our contact form today to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
What Causes Misdiagnosis in Massachusetts?
While you should be able to trust your doctor to diagnose your symptoms correctly, there are several reasons why a doctor might misdiagnose a patient. Some of the most common causes of misdiagnosis in Massachusetts include:
Rushing Through Appointments
Many doctors have loaded schedules and see numerous patients with a wide range of needs throughout their day. Unfortunately, it’s common for patients to feel that their doctor rushes their exam, leaving their concerns unaddressed. When a doctor does not spend the necessary time with a patient, they can miss critical information, resulting in a misdiagnosis.
Neglecting to Obtain a Complete Patient History
In many cases, doctors may fail to get a complete picture of their patient’s medical history. Patients might not know which information is essential to share, so it’s the doctor’s responsibility to ask the correct questions. Failure to do so can lead to a misdiagnosis and severe injuries as a result.
Misreading or Misinterpreting Test Results
Doctors can misdiagnose a patient if they misinterpret or misread a lab or test result. In some cases, doctors should send tests or lab results to a specialist to interpret accurately. If the doctor fails to defer to a specialist when necessary, a misdiagnosis could occur.
Neglecting to Follow Up With the Patient
If a doctor fails to follow up with a patient they have treated, a misdiagnosis could occur. In many cases, a doctor will prescribe treatment which may cause a condition to clear up. However, there may be cases where the treatment does not work and may even cause the patient’s condition to worsen. If the doctor fails to follow up with the patient, they may miss critical signs of misdiagnosis.
Failing to Refer a Patient to a Specialist
Doctors need to refer patients to the correct specialist when treating a condition. For example, an orthopedic surgeon would not be able to treat a cardiovascular problem, as one doctor treats bone issues and the other specializes in heart conditions. A misdiagnosis could occur when a doctor tries to treat a patient outside their practice area.
Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions in Massachusetts
While a doctor can miss any condition, some are misdiagnosed more frequently than others. In many cases, this is because the condition may mimic the symptoms of another. Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed medical conditions in Massachusetts include:
- Lyme disease
- Surgical injuries
- Cancer
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Pulmonary embolisms
- Post-surgical infections
- Glaucoma and other eye diseases
Unfortunately, many victims of misdiagnosis are denied medical treatment or are told they are imagining their symptoms. When this occurs, it can put a patient’s life in severe danger and diminish their quality of life.
How Our Massachusetts Misdiagnosis Lawyers Can Help You
At Sweeney Merrigan, we believe all victims of medical malpractice deserve to be heard. We have over 100 years of combined experience, giving us the expertise to navigate even the most complex misdiagnosis cases in Massachusetts. Some ways our misdiagnosis attorneys can help you include:
- Conducting a full investigation into your case
- Determining the doctor’s error
- Consulting with medical experts to determine if the mistake falls under medical malpractice
- Determining the total value of your claim
- Filing all paperwork correctly and on time
- Negotiating the best possible settlement
- Speaking with insurance companies on your behalf
- Ensuring your questions are answered throughout the process
If you suspect your health has declined due to a doctor’s mistake, do not hesitate to contact our misdiagnosis lawyers. Our team will take the time to get to know you and your case to ensure you can receive the maximum amount of compensation available for your claim.
CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED MASSACHUSETTS MISDIAGNOSIS LAWSUIT ATTORNEY TODAY
The highly-qualified, award-winning legal team at Sweeney Merrigan is proud to help their clients in Massachusetts achieve justice for the malpractice they have suffered. Our Massachusetts medical malpractice team comprises experienced and skilled lawyers and is assisted by medical records reviewer Amy Nichols.
