Failure to Diagnose

There are a number of things that qualify as medical malpractice. Although the medical malpractice we often see on TV involves gross negligent surgical mishaps or serious abuses of medical power, the majority of medical malpractice cases involve something that may appear more benign but can be just as deadly. This form of medical malpractice is called failure to diagnose.

How common is Failure to Diagnose?

Failure to diagnose actually comprises up to 40 percent of medical malpractice suits. It happens not uncommonly and can lead to death.

Failure to diagnose occurs when a medical professional fails to diagnose various serious illnesses such as cancer even when there are signs and symptoms that are visual or presented to the doctor by the patient.

Early detection for many diseases and almost all cancers is the key to finding a treatment that may work. Once a disease has developed over time, it is often impossible to treat at that point.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation are typically only effective in the early stages of cancer growth. If a doctor fails to detect cancer, it can metastasize and spread to other organs in which case the probability of survival is very low.

Failure to diagnose medical malpractice cases can be brought against medical professionals including:

• Doctors
• Nurse practitioners
• Dentists

Contact Us

If you have lost a loved one because a doctor failed to catch an illness or disorder early on, contact the experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyers of Webb, Wade, Taylor & Thompson, LLC, for help. For more information, call 770-631-1811 today.