When a loved one dies because of a missed diagnosis, it is an unimaginable tragedy. Too often, physicians brush off patients’ concerns and fail to make the correct diagnosis, which can have devastating consequences.
What can you do if you believe that your loved one’s death was due to medical malpractice?
Holding physicians accountable
Medical malpractice is a term used to describe negligence on the part of a healthcare professional that results in harm to a patient. A missed diagnosis may be considered medical malpractice if it is shown that the doctor’s negligence resulted in injury to the patient from delayed treatment or unnecessary suffering.
Death from a misdiagnosis happens more often than you may realize. It’s estimated that it causes 40,000 to 80,000 deaths annually in the United States.
To prove that your loved one’s death was due to medical malpractice, you must show that the health care provider fell below the accepted standard of care and that this deviation caused your loved one’s death.
First, gathering as much information as possible about the circumstances leading up to their death is important. This can include medical records, autopsy reports, and witness statements.
You will need to work with someone who can review the evidence and advise you if the missed diagnosis is a medical malpractice case. If you do decide to pursue a claim, they will also be able to help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your loss. Though no amount of money can ever make up for the death of a loved one, justice may help to provide some measure of closure.