Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers commit professional negligence, which can lead to a substandard of care. As a result of this substandard of care, the patient suffers injury. A misdiagnosis in New Jersey is a common form of medical malpractice. However, not every misdiagnosis constitutes medical malpractice.
What counts as misdiagnosis?
Medical misdiagnosis occurs when your healthcare provider fails to make a timely and accurate diagnosis of your condition. A misdiagnosis may involve:
- Wrong diagnosis
- Missing the condition entirely
- Delaying your diagnosis
- Not recognizing advanced or aggravating conditions
What are examples of medical misdiagnosis?
Since misdiagnosis involves actions other than simply providing you with the correct diagnosis, you may not immediately recognize misdiagnosis when it occurs. These are common examples of medical misdiagnosis:
- Not screening for certain diseases
- Refusal to refer you to a specialist
- Incorrectly interpreting lab results
- Failure to follow up on symptoms
- Failure to consult with you about your symptoms
When does misdiagnosis quality as medical malpractice?
Even highly qualified and trained medical professionals can provide a misdiagnosis. To qualify as medical malpractice, your misdiagnosis must result in these consequences for your care:
- Improper or inadequate treatment
- Delayed medical care
- Denial of medical treatment
- Worsening of your symptoms or condition
What are the most commonly misdiagnosed illnesses?
Unfortunately, many of the conditions most commonly misdiagnosed are also serious ones. Often, doctors misdiagnosis these conditions as much less serious ones. Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions include:
- Cancer
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Sepsis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Brain hemorrhage
- Parkinson’s disease
- Lyme disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
Misdiagnosis can feel like a betrayal
Patients put a lot of trust in their medical professionals. If your medical provider gives you a misdiagnosis and ends up making your condition worse, this can feel like a betrayal. If you believe that your provider’s actions count as medical malpractice, you have a two-years in New Jersey to pursue legal action.
