What happens if a medical provider misdiagnoses you? Can you sue?
You went to the hospital with a splitting headache. You had never had a headache that was so bad before, so it was scary to you. Once there, the medical provider ordered intravenous fluids, performed a physical exam and treated you for a migraine. You were then sent home.
Later that day, you ended up going back when the headache progressed into additional symptoms, like not being able to stand. A new medical team was working the shift, and tests showed that you had an aneurysm. Within a short time, you were being rushed to surgery.
Missing a serious diagnosis can be life-threatening
Missing a serious diagnosis like this can be life-threatening and leave you with complications as a result. For example, if you have an aneurysm, failing to treat it immediately could lead to brain damage, brain cell death and the eventual death of a patient. Even if the patient survives, delayed treatment means that they may have some consequences they wouldn’t have had otherwise, like brain injuries and disabilities.
The important thing to consider if you plan to make a medical malpractice claim is if another medical provider would have caught your illness or injury and treated it sooner. For example, if you had spoken to the new provider with the first symptoms you had, would they have ordered additional tests or taken steps to verify that you only had a migraine? That could make a difference in your malpractice claim.
Your attorney will review your situation with you and help determine if you have a viable case. It can be difficult to prove a malpractice claim, but if you’re hurt due to negligence, you deserve the opportunity.