What Happens if a Doctor Gives a Wrong Diagnosis?

We trust our doctors to make some pretty important decisions about our health and well-being. But what happens when they make a mistake?

Medical malpractice can come in many different forms. One of the most common is when a medical professional gives the wrong diagnosis for an illness, causing harm to the patient. So what happens if a doctor gives a wrong diagnosis? In short, it depends—but a personal injury lawyer can inform you best. 

Is Giving a Wrong Diagnosis Medical Malpractice?

Giving an incorrect misdiagnosis, or misdiagnosing an illness—whichever you prefer—is considered a potential case of medical malpractice. It is related to similar costly missteps, such as incorrectly interpreting lab results or discharging a patient too early from the hospital. 

Medical malpractice is a negligent action—or lack thereof—taken by a medical professional. Some medical personnel who could be deemed guilty of malpractice include: 

  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Anesthesiologists 
  • Dentists
  • Surgeons
  • Others working in a medical profession

A misdiagnosis is a potentially catastrophic event that could lead to serious bodily, financial, and emotional damages for a patient. So is it considered malpractice?

The answer is—maybe. That’s because medical malpractice cases are extremely complex. If you suspect malpractice and want to sue, a lawyer can review your potential malpractice case. But from there, it’s necessary to secure the expert testimony of a medical reviewer—usually someone who works in the same area as the defendant—to decide if the misdiagnosis rises to the level of negligent medical malpractice. 

Sometimes, more than one expert is needed to certify that a misdiagnosis is actual malpractice. And even then, there are no guarantees, as you’ll need the help of a lawyer to help you convince a jury that the malpractice occurred. 

Fortunately, if you suspect malpractice occurred in you or your loved one’s case, an experienced lawyer can help. 

Contact a Lawyer Now About Your Wrong Diagnosis 

Have you suffered injury or loss as the result of a misdiagnosis in Florida? A lawyer from The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo can help you seek the maximum compensation possible. 

Call 561-659-6366 or fill out the form below to get started.