When visiting a medical facility for care, patients may expect health care professionals to be capable of accurately diagnosing and treating their health concerns. Unfortunately, diagnostic errors continue to occur at an alarming rate and the presence of such negligence could carry severe repercussions that could have a lasting impact on one’s life. While knowing some examples of diagnostic errors could help individuals in Illinois prepare to protect against the trials involved, there may only be so much one can do to prevent the unthinkable from occurring.
Examples of diagnostic errors
Experts indicate there are numerous types of diagnostic errors, each of which could pose a significant threat to a patient’s well-being. A wrong or inaccurate diagnosis may occur when medical professionals fail to accurately diagnose a condition and instead issue a diagnosis for a different health concern. This type of error may cause a person’s condition to go untreated altogether, and sometimes treatment paths for a wrong diagnosis could even prove harmful in nature.
A missed diagnosis may occur when doctors fail to identify or account for all a person’s symptoms and as such, the resulting diagnosis could be incomplete or inaccurate. Studies also highlight the potential hazards of a delayed diagnosis and similar issues could also cause a person to go without the necessary care for extended periods. While many diagnostic errors may be preventable by nature, studies indicate that similar issues continue to impact the lives of many patients.
The impact
Regardless of how it occurs, the presence of diagnostic errors could place a person’s health and well-being in jeopardy. Individuals in Illinois who suffer severe or life-altering harm due to similar issues may find it helpful to speak with an experienced attorney for advice on their options and the next steps to take. An attorney can work with a client in developing a strategy with which to pursue the full amount of compensation entitled through a claim against all parties deemed responsible.
