A Louisville Misdiagnosis Lawyer: When Doctors Get It Wrong
Did a doctor get it wrong? If you complained of serious medical symptoms to a doctor and they failed to diagnose an illness or injury in a timely manner, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. At T.J. Smith, Attorney at Law, our medical malpractice lawyer has been helping clients throughout Kentucky seek compensation for their damages and losses for more than 35 years. If a doctor got it wrong, T.J. can help make it right.
When A Misdiagnosis Equates To Medical Malpractice
If medical experts testify that your condition would have been greatly improved if you had been correctly diagnosed on time, you may have a claim for medical malpractice due to your misdiagnosis. A successful Louisville medical malpractice case may demonstrate that a health care professional:
- Failed to diagnose your heart attack or stroke in time to administer treatments that might have drastically improved your outcome
- Turned you or your family member away when you arrived at an emergency room, and you then experienced a true crisis that could have been avoided through proper diagnosis
- Misdiagnosed your illness or condition, and as a result, prescribed unnecessary or wrong medication or performed unnecessary surgery.
- Missed the opportunity to deliver the most promising treatment (such as removal of a cancerous breast) and, as a result, left you with a terminal case that could have been cured
If something with your diagnosis happened that should not have happened – or something should have happened that did not happen – talk to a malpractice lawyer sooner rather than later.
T.J. Smith, Attorney at Law, can document the facts of your case and prepare compelling arguments on your behalf that may get you the compensation you should have in a medical malpractice claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Misdiagnosis And Medical Malpractice
Our medical malpractice attorney has more than 35 years of experience, and in that time, he has helped a lot of Kentucky families. He has provided answers to some of the questions he often gets asked about medical malpractice and misdiagnosis. For answers to your specific questions, he offers a free consultation.
What’s the difference between a misdiagnosis and a missed diagnosis?
A misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor identifies your condition incorrectly. For example, you might be told you have the flu when you actually have Lyme disease. This can lead to incorrect treatment, potentially worsening your health.
On the other hand, a missed diagnosis happens when a doctor fails to identify any illness at all. Your symptoms may be dismissed or overlooked, leaving you without necessary treatment. Both situations can lead to harm, but they involve different types of oversight. If you believe you have experienced either situation, a hospital negligence attorney or a medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your options for seeking justice and compensation.
Is the doctor or the hospital responsible for a misdiagnosis?
Determining responsibility for a misdiagnosis can be complex. Often, a doctor might be directly responsible if they fail to consider important symptoms, ignore test results or misinterpret data.
However, hospitals can also share the blame. If the hospital provided inadequate support, faulty equipment or insufficient training to staff, they could be liable as well. In some cases, both the doctor and the hospital may share responsibility. It’s important to gather all relevant medical records and consult a medical malpractice lawyer to evaluate your situation.
What happens if the misdiagnosis is fatal?
A fatal misdiagnosis is a heartbreaking situation. It means that a loved one did not receive the correct treatment in time, leading to their untimely death. In such cases, family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. This legal action seeks to hold responsible parties accountable and can provide compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses and the emotional pain of losing a loved one. It’s important to act promptly, as there are time limits for filing these claims.
Consult A Misdiagnosis Lawyer For Free
If you were harmed because a doctor or diagnostic laboratory failed to diagnose cancer, meningitis or any other medical condition correctly, contact T.J. Smith, Attorney at Law. Call us at 502-677-1429 or send an email regarding your misdiagnosis incident.