Common Types of Misdiagnosis
The term ‘misdiagnosis’ refers to when a doctor or other healthcare professional mistakenly identifies a medical illness, condition, or disease. Misdiagnosis has very serious ramifications, such as unnecessary procedures, and delayed or inappropriate treatment, which can all result in significant harm to a patient. The most common types of misdiagnosis are as follows:
- Delayed diagnosis, when a correct diagnosis takes longer than it should
- Incurred diagnosis, when a physician identifies the incorrect disease or condition
- Missed diagnosis, when a physician fails to identify any medical issue even though symptoms are present
- Over-diagnosis, when a patient is diagnosed with a condition they do not suffer from and undergo unnecessary treatment as a result
- Misinterpreted test results, which occurs when a technician misinterprets imaging studies, laboratory results, or biopsies
The above are just a few of the most common types of misdiagnosis. Any time you are not properly diagnosed with an accurate condition or illness, it is important to seek legal advice. This is where our San Francisco misdiagnosis lawyers can aid in proving you were misdiagnosed.
Causes of Misdiagnosis
While you expect physicians and other healthcare providers to provide an accurate diagnosis, there are many reasons this does not always happen. The most common these are as follows:
- Incomplete patient information, such as a lack of a detailed medical history
- Improper communication between healthcare providers or between patients and their healthcare provider
- Understaffing, resulting in healthcare providers not spending the necessary amount of time with patients
- Diagnostic errors due to misinterpretation, outdated, or inaccurate testing methods
- Complicated cases, such as when a patient has overlapping or atypical symptoms
- Systemic issues, such as improper hiring or training practices within a specific facility
What Conditions are Most Commonly Misdiagnosed?
Although an error can result in any condition being misdiagnosed, there are some that are more commonly misdiagnosed than others. These include infections, cancer, aortic dissections, heart attacks, and clogged arteries. These are also some of the most serious conditions a patient can suffer from. When these conditions are misdiagnosed, patients can suffer significant harm, including wrongful death.
Our Misdiagnosis Lawyer in San Francisco Can Help After Injury
No one should suffer harm at the hands of someone they trusted to provide them with quality care. At Venardi Zurada, our San Francisco misdiagnosis lawyers can determine who is liable for your injuries and hold them accountable for paying the maximum damages you are entitled to. Call us today at (833) 893-6763 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation and to get the strong legal representation you need.
