Like it or not, no doctor will make correct diagnoses in 100% of cases. That means there is a very real possibility that a member of your family could receive the wrong treatment at some point in their life. While we’re certainly not having a go at the medical profession, human error means everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Considering that, it is vital that you understand the procedure you should follow if you suspect a misdiagnosis has occurred. In serious cases, your family member might be entitled to a lot of compensation. So, it’s important that you go about things in the right way. Any errors on your part could mean the case doesn’t stand up in court. At the end of the day, where there is blame, there is a claim.
The most common misdiagnoses relate to cancer and heart attacks. If your family member has been through that, you’ll want to act fast to ensure that all compensation is received. When all’s said and done, mistakes of that nature can cost lives, and doctors should be more careful. Do not feel bad about taking their money.
Step 1: Ask for a reassessment
If you feel the doctor in question has got things wrong, the first thing you should do is ask them to reassess the patient. It could be that they’ve overlooked something important that can be spotted during a more thorough examination. Presuming you still get the same conclusion from that medical professional, you should move onto step two as quickly as possible.
Step 2: Get a second opinion
Everyone wants to improve their family’s health. Getting a second opinion can help to ensure the patient gets the right care when they need it most. Second opinions are standard practice in the medical industry, so don’t worry about offending anyone. You are entitled to see as many doctors as you feel appropriate. Just remember that sometimes they know a little more than you, and the diagnosis might be correct. If you discover the patient has been given the wrong information about their condition, there may be a case for bringing a negligence claim against the first doctor.
Step 3: Your medical negligence claim
To win a medical negligence claim, you will have to prove the doctor in question overlooked something important more than once when making his diagnosis. You can often prove that by collecting evidence from the professional who gave you a second opinion. If their conclusion about your condition differs, you should ask them to write a letter to the courts explaining their position. The whole process can take a very long time, so you’ll have to remain patient. That is why some people prefer to leave that job to the experts. If you’re looking to find a lawyer in St. Louis or anywhere else in the country, you should look online and read testimonials.
We wish you the best of luck and hope that you never have to deal with such an issue. However, at least you now know how to deal with everything properly if the worst occurs.
