Anyone who feels ill enough to go to the doctor will naturally expect the physician to diagnose the condition accurately and provide the necessary treatment. Unfortunately, the number of medical malpractice claims that go through the New York civil courts indicate that many conditions are misdiagnosed. When this happens, complications can develop, often severe enough to lead to disabilities or death.
Some conditions are more frequently misdiagnosed than others, one of which is cancer. The Journal of Clinical Oncology shows that a significant percentage of different types of cancer are misdiagnosed, often due to missing information, incomplete medical history or insufficient patient evaluation. Heart attacks are often misdiagnosed due to the variety of possible symptoms, which are typically different in younger patients than older victims. Heart attacks are often mistaken for heartburn, bronchitis, stress or anxiety.
Stroke victims are frequently diagnosed with alcohol intoxication, vertigo or migraine, and celiac disease is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome. Thyroid conditions involve over or underproduction of hormones, and because the symptoms can be mild, it could be diagnosed as depression. Then there are chest pain, anxiety, breath shortness and fainting that are sometimes diagnosed as a heart attack or pneumonia instead of pulmonary embolisms.
New York victims of misdiagnosis may be unsure of their legal rights and how to go about seeking damage recovery. No one needs to deal with this on his or her own. An experienced attorney can be an invaluable asset at this challenging time, and with skilled legal counsel, a medical malpractice lawsuit might lead to a monetary judgment to cover economic and noneconomic damages.
