Houston Misdiagnosis Attorney

Receiving the wrong diagnosis can lead to significant patient harm, particularly if the incorrect diagnosis leads to a course of treatment that otherwise should not have occurred or if an injury or illness goes untreated because of the misdiagnosis. A Houston medical malpractice lawyer at the Doan Law Firm is ready to help if you need a misdiagnosis attorney by your side. We want to offer you a free consultation so we can discuss the next steps moving forward for your misdiagnosis claim. Let us help you figure out whether or not you are entitled to compensation.

Let The Doan Law Firm Help You Today

• At The Doan Law Firm, we believe in transparency with clients. You will always be able to get a hold of your attorney when you have questions or concerns about your case. We want to help ease your mind as your claim proceeds forward.
• We have no problem going toe to toe with aggressive insurance carriers or legal teams because we believe in standing up for the rights of those who have been harmed by medical professionals.
• We handle your claim on a contingency fee arrangement, so you won’t have to worry about paying legal fees (including out-of-pocket costs related to the case) until after we successfully recover compensation for your losses.

What Constitutes a Medical Misdiagnosis and How It Can Affect You

A medical misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare professional incorrectly identifies a patient’s condition. This can happen for various reasons, such as failure to order appropriate tests or scans, misinterpreting test results, or overlooking key symptoms.

Misdiagnosis can result in significant harm to patients. For instance, the wrong diagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatments or p procedures that may have harmful side effects, or the real condition may go untreated, worsening over time. According to a recent report, diagnostic errors contribute to around 40,000 to 80,000 deaths annually in the U.S.​​​

Common Types of Medical Misdiagnosis

Medical misdiagnosis can occur across a wide range of conditions. Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions include:

• Cancer. Certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer or lung cancer, may be misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and worse outcomes.
• Heart attacks. Symptoms of heart attacks can be mistaken for less serious conditions like acid reflux or anxiety, particularly in women.
• Infections. Serious infections may be misdiagnosed as minor illnesses, resulting in inadequate treatment and severe complications.
• Stroke. Symptoms of stroke can be mistaken for migraines or vertigo, leading to critical delays in receiving appropriate care.
• Autoimmune diseases. Conditions like lupus or multiple sclerosis can present with diverse symptoms that mimic other illnesses, causing delays in diagnosis.

Proving Medical Misdiagnosis

Proving that a medical misdiagnosis occurred and that it caused harm can be complex. To establish a successful claim, the following elements must be demonstrated:

• Doctor-patient relationship. It must be shown that a doctor-patient relationship existed, meaning the healthcare provider owed a duty of care to the patient.
• Breach of standard of care. The healthcare provider must have failed to provide the standard of care that a competent medical professional would have provided under similar circumstances.
• Causation. It must be shown that the provider’s misdiagnosis directly caused harm to the patient.
• Damages. The patient must have suffered specified monetary losses, such as physical pain, emotional distress, additional medical costs, or lost wages, as a result of the misdiagnosis.

Types of Compensation Available for Victims of Medical Misdiagnosis

Victims of medical misdiagnosis in Houston may be entitled to various types of compensation. This can include coverage for all related medical expenses, such as costs incurred for additional treatments, surgeries, medications, and hospital stays that were necessitated by the misdiagnosis.

Additionally, victims can seek compensation for lost wages if the misdiagnosis caused them to miss work. In cases where the misdiagnosis led to long-term or permanent disability, compensation for loss of future earning capacity may also be available.

Non-economic damages can be awarded for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some instances, punitive damages may be considered if the healthcare provider’s actions were particularly reckless or egregious.

Call a Misdiagnosis Lawyer in Houston Today

If you have been injured as a result of a misdiagnosis by a medical professional in the Houston area, reach out to the team at The Doan Law Firm today. We understand the complexities involved in these cases, and we are ready to help. Let our Houston misdiagnosis attorney offer a free consultation today.