Pittsburgh Medical Negligence Lawyers for Delayed Diagnosis

Did a Doctor's Negligence Lead to Your Injury or Illness in Pittsburgh?

At Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., we know that doctors make mistakes. A delay in a diagnosis of a serious illness can cause serious medical problems for the patient, decreased quality of life and even death. If you or your loved one has suffered due to a delayed diagnosis of a medical condition or injury, contact a knowledgeable delayed diagnosis attorney. Our law firm helps people obtain compensation for devastating medical malpractice in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania.

If you or a family member has suffered needlessly due to a medical professional's negligence, we can help you pursue the damages you need and deserve. Call (844) 383-0565 to schedule a free consultation with our Pittsburgh delayed diagnosis lawyers.

What is Delayed Diagnosis?

Delayed diagnosis occurs when there is a significant lapse of time between the onset of a patient's symptoms and the identification of the underlying condition by a healthcare professional. This delay can lead to a worsening of the patient's condition, prolonged suffering, and in some cases, it may even result in permanent injury or death. Delayed diagnosis is considered a form of medical malpractice when it is shown that the healthcare provider's negligence in diagnosing the condition led to harm that could have been avoided with a timely diagnosis.

Common causes of delayed diagnosis include:

• Misinterpretation of Test Results: This occurs when medical professionals misread or overlook abnormalities in diagnostic tests such as blood tests, imaging studies (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), or biopsy results.
• Failure to Order Appropriate Tests: Sometimes, a physician may not order the necessary diagnostic tests that could confirm the presence of a particular condition. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including an incorrect assessment of the patient's symptoms.
• Inadequate Patient History and Physical Examination: Thorough patient history and physical examination are crucial for accurate diagnosis. Omitting key questions or not performing a comprehensive physical exam can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses.
• Communication Errors: Breakdown in communication between healthcare providers, such as between primary care physicians and specialists, can lead to important information being overlooked or misunderstood.
• Understaffing and Overwork: In busy healthcare environments, staff may be overwhelmed, leading to rushed or incomplete patient evaluations.
• Cognitive Biases: Physicians may have biases based on previous experiences or assumptions, which can affect their judgment and lead them to dismiss certain symptoms or diagnostic possibilities.
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Issues: Problems with EHR systems, such as missing information or technical glitches, can lead to delays in accessing critical patient data.
• Inadequate Follow-Up: Failing to follow up on abnormal test results or patient complaints can delay the diagnosis. This can occur when there is a lack of systematic tracking of patient records and test results.
• Limited Access to Care: Patients in underserved areas or those with limited access to healthcare services may experience delays in receiving timely medical attention and diagnostic testing.

The consequences of delayed diagnosis can be severe, potentially leading to the following:

• Progression of the disease to a more advanced stage.
• Increased need for more intensive and expensive treatment.
• Reduced chances of successful treatment outcomes.
• Increased pain and suffering for the patient.
• Higher risk of complications or death.

Identifying Common Delayed Diagnosis Cases in Pennsylvania

Failure to diagnose a serious condition, like cancer, an injury or a medical error can lead to dangerous complications. Our lawyers take on even the most complex failure to diagnose cases, such as:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Stroke
• Infection
• Heart attack

Without a proper diagnosis, an injury or illness can worsen, causing unnecessary pain and suffering, prolonged treatment and even causing wrongful death.

Why Does Delayed Diagnosis Happen?

A delayed diagnosis can happen for a variety of reasons. In certain instances, a doctor may neglect to order the necessary tests that would reveal the symptoms of an injury or illness. Other times, a doctor may perform a test but misread the results. A doctor may also fail to diagnose their patients' illness because they did not perform a test correctly, or the lab made a mistake when testing the sample.

Doctors, hospitals, and labs are required to follow strict regulations so that delayed diagnosis does not happen, but unfortunately, medical errors still occur and innocent people pay the price. If you suffered because a doctor failed to diagnose your condition, you deserve justice.

Seek Expert Legal Advice from Pittsburgh Delayed Diagnosis Attorneys

Our knowledgeable Pittsburgh delayed diagnosis lawyers can guide and counsel you. Our fees in all medical malpractice cases are contingent on recovery of a settlement or judgment in your favor. This means that we handle all costs associated with your case until you recover compensation, and then our fee is a percentage of that settlement.

To find out more about your possible delayed diagnosis case and schedule a free initial consultation with our office, call (844) 383-0565 or contact us online.