Although we like to think that our doctor is very knowledgeable and can solve our medical issues, that’s not always the case. In fact, medical malpractice is a very hot topic of discussion. If you’ve found yourself dealing with a misdiagnosis from your qualified health professional, here are some steps you need to take immediately.
Trust Your Instincts
If you believe that the diagnosis for your symptoms is not correct, trust your instincts. Set up another appointment with your doctor to discuss the problems. If there are serious medical issues at play, then go to the emergency room and explain what’s going on. You should never be afraid to go back to your doctor to question their diagnosis if you don’t believe it’s correct. Doctors have been shown to misdiagnose about 20 percent of all patients.
Get a Second Opinion
In order to prove your case with a medical malpractice lawsuit, you need to have another diagnosis of your condition. Go ahead and get a second opinion about your diagnosis. Consider even getting a third to confirm a true diagnosis. The more proof you can present for your case, the more likely you are to receive compensation for your misdiagnosis.
Hire an Attorney
If your misdiagnosis has led to a delay in your medical treatment, has caused you excessive pain and suffering, or something alike, it’s time to hire an attorney. There are many attorneys that specialize in clients who have received a medical misdiagnosis. It’s vital that you stick to an attorney that specializes in this field as they will have the most up-to-date knowledge and experience to ensure you win your case. Avoid settling for a general practice attorney as they won’t have the in-depth experience that’s so vital to winning your case.
Keep Track of All Your Medical Information
To formulate a successful case, your lawyer is going to need as much information about your medical condition and appointments as possible. Pick a safe place to record all of your appointment dates, the diagnosis, the prescription medications, any tests that you underwent, and so forth. It’s very humanlike to forget the details about doctor’s visits within a couple of days to a few weeks. By writing down all the information as it unfolds, you can ensure that you don’t forget any specific detail or mess them up with others in your brain later down the road.
Receiving a wrong diagnosis for your medical professional can be stressful enough. Dealing with the consequences of that wrong diagnosis is something that can be brutal for anyone. If you’ve been given a wrong diagnosis by your doctor, you should be following the above steps to ensure you get the compensation that you deserve.
Author information: Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.
