San Antonio Misdiagnosis Attorney

Misdiagnosis, Delayed Diagnosis & Failure to Diagnose in Texas

Diagnostic errors are among the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. In fact, studies have found that as many as 12 million Americans over the age of 18 who seek medical care are misdiagnosed. The Mayo Clinic reported that a shocking 88% of adult patients who seek a second medical opinion receive a new or adjusted diagnosis, with over 20% receiving a completely new diagnosis and more than 65% receiving a refined diagnosis.

Misdiagnosis is a huge issue in the U.S., and the consequences are equally troubling. Many patients who are misdiagnosed do not receive proper, prompt treatment. When correct diagnoses are delayed—or never provided at all—patients cannot get the critical care they need. As a result, many suffer debilitating health conditions or even die.

If you or a loved one suffered due to a misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or doctor’s failure to diagnose, you could be entitled to bring a medical malpractice claim and recover compensation for your damages. We strongly advise you to reach out to our experienced San Antonio misdiagnosis lawyers at the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, P.C. to learn more.

Call (210) 226-8888 or submit an online contact form to get started with a free initial consultation.

Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions in the U.S.

Although doctors and other medical specialists are highly trained to accurately detect an array of medical conditions, they do not always provide patients with the proper care. This leads to the high rate of misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis in the U.S. every year.

Some of the most misdiagnosed conditions include:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Cancer
• Aortic dissection
• Pulmonary embolism
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Celiac disease
• Lyme disease
• Hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism
• Fibromyalgia
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Lupus
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis

Often, conditions that are difficult to diagnose because symptoms mimic those of other diseases are misdiagnosed. This does not necessarily mean that medical malpractice has occurred. Rather, to have a medical malpractice case, you must prove that a treating physician failed to uphold an acceptable standard of care.

The Consequences of Misdiagnosis

As previously mentioned, patients who do not receive a timely or correct diagnosis cannot get proper medical care. In many cases, this has deadly consequences.

When life-threatening conditions are not immediately and accurately diagnosed, patients can suffer significant consequences, including death. However, even less serious conditions can cause considerable complications and may even be fatal if medical providers fail to provide proper diagnoses. Additionally, a patient who receives the wrong diagnosis may undergo unnecessary or improper treatment, such as radiation treatment or unnecessary surgery. They may be prescribed incorrect medications, which can cause further harm, or they may be discharged early without the follow-up care they need.

In short, the consequences of diagnostic mistakes—whether misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or failure to diagnose—are serious. When these errors are the result of negligence and substandard medical care, affected patients and the loved ones of those who die may be entitled to legal action.

Proving Liability in Misdiagnosis & Delayed Diagnosis Cases

Misdiagnosis cases are complex for a number of reasons. For one, an improper diagnosis may not necessarily be the result of medical malpractice. In fact, sometimes medical providers do everything they can to quickly and accurately diagnose a patient’s condition but are unable to do so. This does not constitute negligence.

Rather, to prove medical malpractice and, therefore, have grounds to sue for damages, you must prove that a medical provider failed to uphold a reasonable and acceptable standard of care. This means proving that they failed to do something or did something that another competent medical provider would have/would not have done in the same or similar circumstances.

For example, a medical provider may be liable for a misdiagnosis/delayed diagnosis if they:

• Ignored your symptoms
• Failed to order necessary diagnostic tests
• Misread/improperly analyzed test results
• Failed to refer you to a specialist
• Failed to recommend further testing
• Sent you home without treatment (early discharge)
• Failed to conduct proper follow-up care

At the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, P.C., we understand how to investigate issues involving improper diagnosis and diagnostic errors. Our San Antonio misdiagnosis attorneys have extensive experience and a proven track record of success in highly complex medical malpractice and negligence claims.

Fighting for the Recovery You Deserve

When a trusted medical professional fails to provide the level of care you deserve, our firm is here to fight for the justice you are owed. Since 1953, our firm has been a trusted name in the San Antonio area, providing personalized attention and compassionate support for our clients. Our aggressive approach to litigation has helped us recover millions of dollars for our clients, including numerous million- and multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.

Call us today for a free consultation: (210) 226-8888. You can also reach us online using our simple and convenient contact form.