Missed Diagnosis

RP Crawford Solicitors Limited – Your Voice Against Medical Negligence

Challenge Your Missed Diagnosis – We’re Here to Help Every Step of the Way.

At RP Crawford Solicitors Limited, we understand the severe impact that a missed diagnosis can have on your life and health. When medical professionals fail to detect a critical condition, the consequences can be devastating, leading to advanced disease, irreversible damage, or even death. Our dedicated team is here to ensure that such oversights are addressed with the seriousness they deserve.

Missed diagnosis, a common form of medical negligence, occurs when a healthcare provider fails to identify a condition that should have been noticed and treated based on the symptoms and test results available. This failure can lead to a lack of necessary medical treatment, resulting in worsening conditions or new complications. Here’s a detailed list of common causes and the injuries that can arise from missed diagnosis medical negligence claims:

 

Common Causes of Missed Diagnosis

1. Failure to Order Appropriate Tests: Neglecting to order necessary diagnostic tests based on the symptoms presented.
2. Misinterpretation of Test Results: Incorrectly interpreting test results, leading to a failure in diagnosing a condition.
3. Inadequate Patient Assessment: Not spending sufficient time with the patient or failing to conduct a thorough physical examination.
4. Overlooking Patient History: Ignoring the patient’s medical history or symptoms reported, which might have indicated a serious condition.
5. Failure to Follow Up: Not following up on test results or patient complaints about persisting or worsening symptoms.
6. Communication Failures: Poor communication between different healthcare providers involved in a patient’s care.
7. Systemic Issues: Understaffing, excessive workload, or other systemic problems that lead to oversights.

 

Injuries Associated with Missed Diagnosis

1. Cancer: Delay in cancer diagnosis is one of the most severe outcomes of missed diagnosis. A delay can lead to cancer progression to more advanced stages where treatment becomes less effective or more invasive, significantly impacting survival rates.
2. Heart Attack and Cardiovascular Diseases: Missing the diagnosis of heart disease can lead to a preventable heart attack or severe cardiac complications.
3. Stroke: Failure to diagnose stroke risks, such as arterial blockages or atrial fibrillation, can result in a stroke that could have been prevented with timely intervention.
4. Infections: Missing the diagnosis of infections, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, can lead to severe or fatal outcomes.
5. Diabetes: Failure to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions can lead to poor management of the condition, causing serious health complications like vision loss, kidney damage, or severe metabolic disturbances.
6. Appendicitis: Missing a diagnosis of appendicitis can lead to a ruptured appendix, resulting in widespread infection and potentially life-threatening complications.
7. Psychiatric Disorders: Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosing psychiatric disorders can lead to inappropriate treatment, worsening of symptoms, or even suicide.
8. Orthopaedic Injuries: Misdiagnosed or undiagnosed fractures or musculoskeletal injuries can lead to chronic pain, disability, and improper healing.
9. Pulmonary Embolism: Not diagnosing a pulmonary embolism can lead to sudden deterioration and death, especially if the signs and symptoms were sufficiently clear but were missed.

 

Navigating the Medical Negligence Claims Process

Our process for handling your missed diagnosis claim involves:

• Gathering Evidence: We collect all relevant medical records and document the timeline of events leading to the missed diagnosis.
• Obtaining Expert Opinions: We consult with medical experts to obtain a liability report that can establish the fault of the healthcare provider.
• Quantum Assessment: Our team coordinates with occupational therapists and forensic accountants to ascertain the full impact of the missed diagnosis, including ongoing medical costs, loss of earnings, and personal injury.

 

Why Instruct Us?

• Proven Expertise: With years of experience in medical negligence related to missed diagnoses, our solicitors bring a wealth of experience and medical insight.
• Client-Centred Approach: Your health needs and access to justice are our priority. We tailor our strategies to meet your specific needs.
• Aggressive Advocacy: We negotiate relentlessly to ensure you receive the maximum possible compensation. Your recovery is our mission.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What compensation can I claim for a missed diagnosis? Compensation may include medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and costs for future care.
• What if I need changes to my home due to my condition? We can arrange for an expert to assess your home and recommend necessary modifications, which we will seek to include in your compensation.
• How can we address potential disability in the labour market? If your ability to work is compromised, we pursue Smith v Manchester claims to compensate for your reduced capacity to earn.

 

Take Control of Your Future Today

Have you or a loved one suffered due to a missed diagnosis? Contact RP Crawford Solicitors Limited now to secure the support and compensation you rightfully deserve.