Can a Doctor Be Held Accountable for Misdiagnosis in Michigan?

Misdiagnosis happens when a doctor incorrectly identifies a patient’s illness, such as saying a patient has one condition when, in fact, they have another. Sometimes, a doctor might even tell a patient they are healthy when they are not. 

A misdiagnosis can lead to the patient receiving the wrong treatment or no treatment at all. This kind of mistake can make a patient’s actual condition worse or cause new health problems. For example, if a doctor wrongly diagnoses a serious illness as a minor one, the patient might miss out on critical care when it can be most effective. 

It’s important to understand that not all mistakes in diagnosis result from carelessness. Different diseases often show similar symptoms, making it hard to pinpoint the right one immediately. However, doctors are responsible for using their knowledge, consulting with other experts, and performing necessary tests to avoid misdiagnosis as much as possible.

Common Types of Misdiagnosed Conditions 

Misdiagnosis happens more often than you might think; according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 795,000 Americans die prematurely or are permanently disabled because of diagnostic errors annually. Some conditions are more likely to get misdiagnosed because their symptoms resemble those of other diseases. Here are some common types of conditions that doctors sometimes misdiagnose:

• Heart Attack: Doctors sometimes mistake heart attacks for less severe issues like indigestion or anxiety, especially in younger patients. 
• Stroke: Strokes can get overlooked because signs like sudden weakness or confusion are also common symptoms of less severe conditions. 
• Cancer: Various forms of cancer often get misdiagnosed as other illnesses. For example, lung cancer might be mistaken for pneumonia, which can delay appropriate treatment. 
• Diabetes: Early signs of diabetes include thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue, which can easily be confused with symptoms of other conditions. 
• Thyroid Disorders: Symptoms of thyroid problems, such as feeling tired or having mood swings, are common to many conditions, increasing the likelihood of misdiagnosis.

When Is a Doctor Accountable for Misdiagnosis?

A doctor could be accountable for misdiagnosis if they didn’t take the steps they should have to identify your illness correctly. This could involve making a clear mistake, like ignoring your symptoms or not ordering necessary tests. If this kind of error caused your condition to worsen, the doctor might be responsible.

Remember, not every misdiagnosis means a doctor did something wrong. Diseases can be tricky to identify, and even the best doctors can make honest mistakes. But if a doctor’s carelessness led to the wrong diagnosis, they might bear responsibility for the consequences. This is why working with knowledgeable lawyers and medical experts matters, as they know how to prove the doctor’s mistake and help you seek the financial means you need in order to recover.

Contact a Michigan Misdiagnosis Attorney Now

If you or someone you love is facing health issues because of a misdiagnosis, Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys are here to help. Our team will look at your case carefully, work with knowledgeable medical experts to figure out what went wrong, and fight for the support you deserve. Contact us today for a free initial consultation, and let’s talk about how we can help you move forward.