If your doctor overlooks a serious medical concern, it has the potential to result in additional harm or even death.
Some conditions are more likely to be misdiagnosed than others, including the following:
- Heart attack: The symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain, are the same as many less serious ailments, including the common cold and indigestion. However, if your doctor turns you away when you present with a heart attack, it’s a major mistake that will take a toll on your health.
- Cancer: Cancer is easy to misdiagnose without the appropriate testing. Some forms are more likely to be overlooked than others, including breast, lung and colorectal. Misdiagnosing cancer gives the disease the opportunity to spread to other parts of the body, thus reducing the likelihood of beating it.
- Stroke: Just the same as a heart attack, the symptoms of a stroke are shared with other less serious conditions. These symptoms include general weakness, confusion and poor coordination. In the event of a slow onset stroke, the risk of misdiagnosis is even greater.
If you learn that you were the victim of medical misdiagnosis, inform your doctor of their mistake and seek treatment from another provider. It’s important that you quickly receive the treatment you should have had in the first place.
As time and your health allows, turn your attention to the reason for your misdiagnosis and the steps you can take to protect your legal rights. Depending on the circumstances and end result, you may be able to take action to obtain compensation from the negligent party.
