Many conditions require a timely diagnosis and treatment in order to successfully treat them. Unfortunately, a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can often have serious consequences for those in Pennsylvania. In fact, a recent out-of-state case resulted in paralysis after a doctor's failure to adequately diagnose a man's condition.
The victim was reportedly injured in a workplace accident. He sought treatment at an urgent-care facility, where he was given a shot and sent back to work. When the pain became so unbearable that he could not walk, he returned to the facility. At that time, a doctor gave him additional pain medication and sent him back to work.
Unfortunately, his condition did not improve, and he sought treatment at an emergency room where he was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, a disorder that is rare and results in pressure on the roots of spinal nerves. While the syndrome can be treated, a delayed diagnosis has severe consequences. In this man's case, he became paralyzed from his waist down -- a condition that remains more than 10 years after the accident. A judge has recently awarded the man and his wife over $4 million.
A delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis can impede the reception of necessary treatment. This man may never be the same and will likely require extensive modifications to his daily life. As many people in Pennsylvania who have pursued justice against medical malpractice in a civil court have found, a successfully presented lawsuit can help victims cope with the financial ramifications of their injuries that could have been prevented if medical care professionals had taken additional actions.