Whether the health concern is life-threatening or a simple, minor issue, a delayed diagnosis can have lifelong consequences. It’s critical that medical providers determine the cause of a patient’s health problems promptly.
Symptoms
- Pain that gets worse instead of getting better
- Repeated ER or doctor visits for the same problem
- New symptoms appearing after initial treatment
- Fever, chills, or signs of infection
- Increasing fatigue or weakness
- Shortness of breath or chest discomfort
- Confusion, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
What causes a delayed diagnosis?
There are several ways a diagnosis can be delayed, but nearly all of them are avoidable. Doctors may mistake a symptom for a minor illness and expect a typical recovery from the issue. In other cases, a “watch and wait” approach may not provide a clear safety or follow-up plan.
When emergency rooms get overwhelmed, mistakes can be made. Key warning signs that a patient’s health is getting worse can be missed. Care may not be escalated because staff are too busy to notice changes in symptoms.
Serious injuries caused by a delayed diagnosis
Depending on the issues causing the health problem, a delayed diagnosis can leave a patient with grave injuries or illness. Potentially deadly conditions like sepsis and stroke can be caused by mistakes made during active treatment.
But mistakes during test analysis can also have deadly outcomes. Early signs of cancer, heart attack, appendicitis, and more can be missed, leading the patient to suffer longer than may have been necessary. Not diagnosing these dangers early wastes critical time needed to care for the patient and may prevent further health problems.
Doctors taking too long to diagnose an illness leaves patients in a world of physical and emotional pain. The uncertainty of “what’s wrong” combined with ongoing pain leaves many patients overwhelmed.
Weisser Law is here to listen to your story and address your concerns directly with insurance companies and medical providers. When your diagnosis doesn’t come quickly enough, you need a lawyer who will get results fast.
Contact the trusted, local team at Weisser Law today to schedule your free consultation.