There are many forms of medical malpractice that patients can suffer from. In fact, it is so common that medical errors have become the third-leading cause of death in our country. One form of malpractice is a missed or delayed diagnosis. Not getting the right diagnosis when you need it may not seem very serious, but it can be a critical problem for heart disease.
The urgency of getting an accurate diagnosis
The more time heart disease has without getting a diagnosis, the deadlier it becomes. Despite how serious heart conditions are, there are many reasons that a doctor may not diagnose the issue, including:
- Lack of education/skill
- Unable to properly read test results
- Inaccurate testing equipment
- Did not conduct the proper tests
- Did not properly identify the symptoms
A common example of misdiagnosis is a patient coming into the emergency room with the symptoms of a heart attack. The doctor does not conduct any appropriate tests and dismisses the patient despite the obvious signs. By sending the patient home, the doctor is risking the patient to suffer lifelong complications of a heart attack or even death.
Hold doctors accountable for their negligence
If you suspect that you or a loved one similarly suffered from medical malpractice, contact an attorney today. A skilled malpractice attorney can help you review your initial situation to determine whether you have the grounds to file a malpractice claim and what your next step should be.
The first opinion you get from a doctor may not always be right. If you feel ill or in medical danger, do not be afraid to seek a second opinion or insist on getting the treatment you need.