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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 (617) 391-9001 or complete our contact form today to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
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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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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 Benjamin R. Novotny, Kimberly K. Ridge, and Kyle A. Camilleri and is assisted by medical records reviewer Amy Nichols. Attorneys Ridge and Novotny were named Super Lawyers Rising Stars for several consecutive years, and all three lawyers devote 100% of their practice to litigation. Attorney Novotny has won over 90 complex medical malpractice cases and has recovered $200 million in verdicts and settlements for his clients. Additionally, Attorney Novotny was also named Massachusetts Lawyer of the Year in 2018 for his outstanding work on medical malpractice cases.
Give us a call at (617) 391-9001 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our legal team.
Attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP have been recognized and honored by several of the top legal associations, including SuperLawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, and Best Lawyers.
Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP is a highly successful personal injury law firm serving Massachusetts since 2011.
There are no fees or costs unless we win your case!
