Medical malpractice is an often-overlooked issue, and diagnostic errors are no exception. Most patients trust that their doctors are doing the best to diagnose and treat their illnesses. And although honest mistakes happen, sometimes a doctor’s negligence could lead to them reaching and incorrect diagnoses. Here are three conditions where this most commonly occurs.

Strokes

Like a heart attack, a stroke is a very serious condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible. Without the proper diagnosis, a doctor could delay that crucial treatment, which can lead to stroke injuries, crippling disability, or wrongful death. Reasons that doctors might miss or overlook symptoms of a stroke is because the doctor takes for granted that the person is too young or healthy to develop a stroke. Instead, a doctor might misdiagnose a stroke as migraine or vertigo. 

Cancer

One of the most devastating diseases in America is cancer, which is near the top of the list for leading causes of death annually. Because cancer can strike any part of the body, there are a variety of symptoms that can manifest, which means that cancer is one of the most misdiagnosed conditions. A doctor may fail to complete a thorough enough evaluation to reach a cancer diagnosis, or a lack of cancer in the patient’s medical history could lead the doctor to rule out cancer as a diagnosis. But because cancer can spread quickly, the later it is diagnosed and treated, the less likely a patient will survive.

Thyroid Disease

While thyroid disease is not often fatal, a doctor failing to diagnose it can lead to a significant reduction in quality of life. The hormones produced in the thyroid gland are key to maintaining a healthy metabolism. With thyroid disease, a patient could suffer from extreme changes in weight, fatigue, and muscle pain. Doctors often misinterpret these symptoms as psychological rather than physical, which can lead to frustration and wasted money on incorrect treatments.

Contact The Snyder Law Group Today

The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.