Testing & Diagnosis Errors
Misdiagnosis, Failure to Order Testing & Delayed Diagnosis
Cranston & Edwards PLLC – Morgantown, WV Trial Attorneys
Doctors enjoy a great reputation and wealth of benefits in our society based on their ability to heal us and promote our well-being; however, when they fail to uphold this important responsibility and innocent patients are seriously injured or die, it is critical that they be held accountable. Incompetent doctors are legally responsible for compensating their victims for losses caused by medical negligence – and it is further hoped that consistent penalization of negligent doctors will dissuade incompetency in the medical profession.
In the case of medical testing and diagnosis errors, there are three main types of negligence that may constitute medical malpractice: misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and failure to order medical testing. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured as a result of a health care provider’s negligence, contact the trial attorneys at Cranston & Edwards PLLC for a free case evaluation. Call: 304-296-3500.
- Lung Cancer
- Heart Attack
- Breast Cancer
- Meningitis
- Stroke
- Colon Cancer
- Tuberculosis
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Infection
- Wrongful Death
Misdiagnosis of a Medical Condition
When patients receive a misdiagnosis, medical conditions can become more serious, resulting in extended pain and suffering. In some extreme cases, patients may die due to a misdiagnosis. In addition, misdiagnosed patients may receive unnecessary treatments, medications, and surgeries which can be harmful and costly. Irreparable damage to the body may occur when a terminal illness is misdiagnosed as a less harmful condition. By the time a correct diagnosis is made, the treatment required may be more drastic, painful, and less effective than if the diagnosis was made in a timely manner. Unfortunately, in some cases, the patient’s condition may have progressed to an untreatable stage which directly contributes to the patient’s death. Sadly, these types of situations are extremely common and attributable to medical negligence.
Failure to Order Testing
Doctors and medical providers who fail to order laboratory tests and diagnostic exams to determine why a patient is experiencing the symptoms for which the patient is seeking care may be guilty of committing a serious act of medical negligence. Because it is common knowledge that early detection is essential to properly diagnosing and treating patients, any doctor who fails to order the appropriate, indicated tests is likely to be liable for any detrimental health effects the patient may endure as a result of this negligence. Likewise, any laboratory technician who negligently handles their duty may be held liable. In addition to ordering tests and imaging, health care professionals are also responsible for properly reporting the results of the testing.
Delayed Diagnosis
Most medical conditions, diseases, disorders, and ailments can be effectively treated or cured when detected promptly and addressed according to accepted medical standards. Therefore, it is especially egregious when a doctor fails to diagnose a serious or terminal condition in a timely manner. Although medical personnel may blame others, claim a laboratory error or miscommunication occurred, or brush the incident off as a minor error, frankly, there is no excuse for this type of negligence – especially when the consequences may be fatal.
Learn more about whether you may have a medical malpractice case here. If you have suffered as a result of medical negligence, you have a right to be made whole. Contact Cranston & Edwards PLLC for a free case evaluation. Call: 304-296-3500.
WV Medical Malpractice Attorneys
The award-winning lawyers at Cranston & Edwards PLLC have over 60 years of collective experience securing settlements and judgements in excess of one million dollars for our clients throughout north central West Virginia. If you are unable to come in to our office in Morgantown due to the severity of your injuries, we will come to you.
