Misdiagnosis Attorney in Michigan

24/7 Legal Support for Mistaken, Missed & Delayed Diagnoses

Doctors and other medical professionals have a duty to provide a reasonable standard of care to their patients. Part of this duty includes correctly diagnosing illnesses and conditions within a reasonable length of time. Whether it is missed, delayed, or simply incorrect, a wrong diagnosis can prove devastating, as early detection and treatment is key in overcoming many diseases.

When doctors are negligent in diagnosing an illness or disease — either by failing to diagnose or misdiagnosing a condition — patients and their families may be able to take legal action to recover compensation for their damages. At Grewal Law PLLC, our seasoned medical malpractice attorneys can apply over 100 years of experience to your misdiagnosis claim in Michigan. By investigating the cause of your injuries and relying on expert testimony to build a case, we will serve as committed advocates for your rights.

What Counts as Misdiagnosis?

Misdiagnosis occurs when a medical condition is incorrectly identified, leading to inappropriate treatment or management. It can result from various factors, including:

• Incorrect disease diagnosis: This is when a medical condition is diagnosed incorrectly, either due to similarities in symptoms with other conditions or lack of thorough examination.
• Failure to identify the underlying cause of a condition: Sometimes, a medical professional may diagnose a condition without identifying its root cause. This can lead to ineffective treatment and potential worsening of the condition.
• Medication side effects and prescription errors: Misdiagnosis can occur when symptoms are mistaken for side effects of medications or when incorrect medications are prescribed.
• Failure to provide a diagnosis in a reasonable amount of time: Delayed diagnosis can lead to prolonged suffering for the patient and may allow the condition to worsen.
• Overdiagnosis: This happens when a condition is diagnosed even though the patient may not actually have it, leading to unnecessary treatment or intervention.
• Underdiagnosis: Conversely, this occurs when a condition is missed or not diagnosed at all, often due to atypical symptoms, lack of awareness, or inadequate testing.
• Diagnostic errors due to biases: Sometimes, healthcare providers may be influenced by cognitive biases, leading them to overlook certain information or misinterpret symptoms.
• Laboratory or imaging errors: Misinterpretation of test results or errors in conducting tests can lead to incorrect diagnoses.
• Communication breakdown: Poor communication between healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers can contribute to misdiagnosis by leading to misunderstandings or incomplete information exchange.
• Rare or uncommon conditions: Conditions that are rare or less commonly encountered may be overlooked or misdiagnosed initially due to their unfamiliarity.

Diagnostic errors come in many forms, from missing the signs of a heart attack to a delayed lung cancer diagnosis. According to one study published in BMJ Quality and Safety, reports on diagnostic errors in the United States can vary, as most errors go unreported and may not present a serious threat to the patient. However, even conservative estimates show that doctors and specialists commit misdiagnosis and other diagnostic errors at least 10-15% of the time.

Additionally, according to a comprehensive review by Johns Hopkins Medicine, diagnostic error is the top cause for medical malpractice claims. It’s estimated that up to 160,000 patients every year suffer serious injuries or death as a direct result of a misdiagnosis. Although it isn’t always easy for physicians to get a diagnosis exactly right the first time, medical professionals have an obligation to exercise due diligence in diagnosing patients.

To learn more, contact the delayed diagnosis lawyers at Grewal Law PLLC for a free consultation. Call us at (888) 211-5798 today.