Massachusetts Medical Malpractice: A Failure to Diagnose

When people think of medical malpractice, they usually think of mistakes that are made by physicians and health care providers. Unsanitary medical equipment, surgical errors, or wrongful diagnoses are just a few things that go wrong from time to time in hospitals and doctor’s offices around the country and world. But one of the most dangerous things a health care provider can do to a patient is fail to diagnose a condition that requires speedy and effective treatment. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or even death because of a failure of your doctor to diagnose in a timely manner, you can take legal action and pursue compensation for your suffering.

All illnesses and injuries should be diagnosed in a reasonable amount of time, but there are some instances when a failure to diagnose in a timely manner can be particularly problematic for the patient. Some of the most dangerous illnesses for late diagnoses include:

• Any type of cancer but particularly cervical, lung and breast cancer
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Appendicitis
• Diabetes

When these illnesses are not diagnosed, it can lead to further complications, expenses, and in the worst-case scenario, even death. Although the medical field is complex and doctors must be cautious not to make hasty decisions, it is considered negligent when a doctor fails to notice certain symptoms, listen attentively to patients, or conduct the required tests. If you think you have been the victim of a delayed diagnosis, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.