Misdiagnosis By A Doctor
Misdiagnosis By A Doctor
There are many ways that a diagnosis can go wrong. There can be contributing factors from any of the players. It seems poor form to blame a patient for a wrong diagnosis, but the patient is after all involved in the situation and can contribute to a misdiagnosis by a doctor.
There are many reasons why misdiagnosis by a doctor can occur:
- Doctors know only the most common diseases
- Any diseases that get a lot of attention tend to get over-diagnosed and others overlooked
- General practitioners are well versed in common diseases, but not in uncommon areas that a specialist would know better
- Some doctors will avoid medical tests, knowing how expensive they are
- Lack of time is a major factor contributing to misdiagnosis by a doctor as the general 15 minute appointment is not adequate enough time for a doctor to really diagnose an illness
The various medical tests that are used to confirm or rule out diagnosis can also sometimes fail. Although they are very useful diagnostic tools, they are not perfect and can contribute to a misdiagnosis by a doctor. Since the doctor has to make a diagnosis, it is certainly possible to make mistakes.
Common misdiagnosis by a doctor includes:
- Breast cancer
- Tuberculosis
- Lung cancer
- Diabetes
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Pulmonary embolism
- Ketosis
- Bacterial meningitis
- Appendicitis
- CREST syndrome
Medical expenses linked to a misdiagnosis, mental anguish and lost wages are all damages associated with misdiagnosis by a doctor. To successfully claim for these damages it is suggested that you consult with a malpractice lawyer specialising in this field.
If you have been a victim of a misdiagnosis by a doctor, contact us for more information on how you can claim for your damages with the help of a malpractice lawyer.
For more information on this subject, please give us a call at 012 460 3668 (SA) or e-mail us at clare@avdw.co.za
