Have You Been Let Down by Your Doctor?
When a patient reports symptoms to a doctor and the doctor fails to follow up on those symptoms with an appropriate diagnosis or further tests, the consequences can be extremely serious. Cancer can spread. HIV can develop into AIDS. Moderate infections can cause enduring or permanent consequences. Opportunities for early intervention can be lost.
At Burch, Coulston & Buncher, L.L.P., our civil litigation department — headed by experienced personal injury trial lawyer Sven Buncher — holds doctors accountable for the harm caused by negligent misdiagnosis. Based in Orange County, we represent clients throughout Southern California.
For a free consultation to discuss your options after a misdiagnosis, contact us today.
Understanding the Consequences of Misdiagnosis
Doctors are not always able to detect a disease right away. However, when they see the indicators of a particular disease or problem, they need to inform the patient and either recognize the cause of the indicators, or recommend appropriate tests to promptly ascertain the cause.
Common diseases that doctors are often able to diagnose if they observe their medical training and follow up on symptoms that they see include the following:
- Cancer
- Blood clots
- Heart conditions
- HIV/AIDS
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can rise to the level of medical malpractice when the doctor was negligent and the patient is harmed. Usually, the harm is that a disease got worse because the opportunity to treat it early was lost. Treating someone for the wrong disease can also cause harm by allowing the actual ailment to go untreated or from harm caused by an unnecessary treatment, such as chemotherapy.
Getting Answers About the Causes of a Failed or Delayed Diagnosis
If you have gotten a delayed or misdiagnosis from a doctor and been harmed as a result, our experienced medical malpractice attorneys may be able to help you hold the doctor and/or hospital accountable and compensate you for your injuries.
We have the experience to offer a skilled initial assessment of your case and bring in the appropriate experts to carefully evaluate your situation and establish the basis for your claim. Contact us for a free 30 minute consultation to discuss how we can help you seek compensation for a delayed diagnosis or a misdiagnosis.
