Can I Sue for a Delayed Diagnosis?

Yes, if a delayed diagnosis caused harm, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. We can help assess your case and determine the best course of action.

Medical malpractice claims allege negligence by doctors, nurses, or other healthcare providers. When a provider breaches their duty of care, they could directly cause harm to patients, resulting in measurable damages. It’s possible to sue for a delayed diagnosis if a doctor’s negligence led to physical or emotional harm. 

You may have grounds to file a misdiagnosis claim if your doctor doesn’t investigate certain symptoms of larger health issues. For example, say you tell your doctor you suffer from frequent headaches, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. Their final diagnosis is chronic migraines, but further testing actually points to a traumatic brain injury. 

A doctor’s failure to diagnose doesn’t just raise concerns about their standard of care. It can also prolong a patient’s illness and even impact their prognosis. Delayed treatment harms a patient’s ability to recover from a certain injury or illness in a timely manner. 

For example, imagine a relatively healthy person goes to their doctor concerned about a lump they feel on their abdomen. The doctor dismisses it as a benign growth without running any tests. As the lump grows and the patient experiences other health issues, they visit another doctor who diagnoses it as a cancerous mass. 

In this scenario, the patient’s delayed diagnosis lawsuit could include damages for their ongoing cancer treatments, including surgical and drug interventions. They may also claim damages for the mental anguish stemming from their misdiagnosis.

What To Know About Taking Legal Action

In Pennsylvania, it’s possible to sue for a delayed diagnosis. The state allows plaintiffs two years from the time they discover the misdiagnosis to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Consult an attorney shortly after your illness comes to light to discuss your options. 

Personal injury lawyers protect their clients’ interests and gather evidence supporting their claims, such as:

• Medical records
• Testimony from industry professionals
• Statements from the victim’s loved ones
• Documents highlighting economic damages, such as medical bills or prescription costs
• The case may settle out of court or end with a trial. 

Are you looking to sue for a delayed diagnosis that affected your health and well-being? Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers may be able to help. We approach medical malpractice claims with sensitivity and seek justice on behalf of our clients. 

To discuss your case with a dedicated legal professional, reach out to our firm today. Call (484) 351-0350 to schedule a free consultation.