Dangerous Medical Malpractice: Failing to Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism and DVT

When we seek medical attention, we expect our healthcare professionals to take the care and time they need to accurately diagnose our issues. Unfortunately, sometimes this does not happen, often resulting in tragic outcomes.

Failure to diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common form of medical malpractice that can be life-threatening. If you or someone you care about has suffered an adverse health outcome because a doctor failed to diagnose these conditions, you should speak to an experience Michigan medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can.

What are DVT and PE?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DVT is a condition in which a blot clot occurs in your deep veins, often in the legs. A pulmonary embolism occurs when the clot breaks off and moves into the lungs, which can cause a life-threatening medical emergency. Typically, the signs of DVT involve pain in the affected area, swelling, or redness in the skin above the clot. PE, on the other hand, involves shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and sudden loss of consciousness.

What to Do if You Believe a Physician Failed to Diagnose DVT or PE

Frustratingly, DVT is fairly simple to treat in most cases. If a doctor suspects DVT, they typically prescribe anticoagulants, which should dissolve the clot and prevent DVT from leading to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. In addition, if pulmonary embolism is diagnosed early, it can also be treatable.

If a doctor failed to diagnose either condition and you or someone you love had an adverse health outcome, there are certain steps you should take to protect your legal rights. The most important of these include:

• Consult with a Medical Malpractice Attorney: Seek legal counsel from an experienced medical malpractice attorney who specializes in cases involving misdiagnosis or medical errors. They can assess the merits of your case and guide you on the appropriate course of action.
• Preserve Evidence: Collect and preserve all relevant medical records, test results, and documentation related to your case. This evidence will be crucial in establishing the misdiagnosis and potential negligence.
• Obtain Expert Opinions: Your attorney may recommend consulting with medical experts who can review your case and provide expert opinions regarding the misdiagnosis and the standard of care expected in your situation.

Importantly, the one thing you should not do is accept a settlement offer before talking to an attorney. If you do, you could be left with significant uncompensated losses.

Call Us Today to Speak with a Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have suffered injuries because your doctor failed to diagnose a pulmonary embolism or DVT, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. With over 130 trials under our belt, the skilled attorneys at Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys have what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our team, call our office today or contact us online.