Misdiagnosis Attorneys in Mobile, AL

Fighting for Victims of Diagnostic Errors

We all place a tremendous amount of trust in the knowledge, experience, and judgment of our doctors and other healthcare providers. However, despite the high regard we have for them, these professionals are not infallible. From time to time, doctors make mistakes, such as misdiagnosing a life-threatening condition or failing to provide a timely diagnosis, and these errors can carry serious and potentially life-threatening consequences.

These cases are complicated by the fact that the law limits the amount of time you have to file a claim, even though you may not discover the impact of a misdiagnosis for a long time. Therefore, working with an Alabama misdiagnosis attorney in these types of cases is critical.

Since 1958, Cunningham Bounds has worked to uphold the rights of our clients in cases such as these. As one of the top personal injury firms in the state, we have recovered billions on behalf of our clients.

Speak with an experienced misdiagnosis lawyer in Alabama by calling (251) 299-0101 or sending us a message online. We offer a free consultation to start your case.

Types of Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis typically takes place in one of two ways:

• The condition is completely undiagnosed
• The condition is incorrectly diagnosed

An example of the first would be that a patient regularly visits their physician with health problems and the physician doesn’t diagnose their illness, such as cancer. An example of the second would be that a patient visits their physician with health problems and the physician says they have a sprain when they actually have a fracture.

It is important to discuss the specifics of your situation with a skilled attorney who can help you pursue the compensation you need during this difficult time.

Examples of Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare professional incorrectly identifies a medical condition or provides an inaccurate interpretation of symptoms or diagnostic tests. Here are a few examples of misdiagnosis scenarios that could form the basis of a medical malpractice claim:

• Cancer misdiagnosis: A patient presents to their primary care physician with symptoms such as persistent coughing and chest pain. The physician dismisses the symptoms as a minor respiratory infection and fails to order appropriate diagnostic tests, such as chest X-rays or CT scans. Months later, the patient is diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, which could have been treated more effectively if diagnosed earlier.
• Heart attack misdiagnosis: A patient arrives at the emergency room with symptoms suggestive of a heart attack, including chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. However, the emergency room physician misdiagnoses the symptoms as indigestion or anxiety and sends the patient home without further evaluation. Later that day, the patient suffers a severe heart attack, resulting in permanent heart damage.
• Stroke misdiagnosis: A patient visits their primary care physician complaining of sudden weakness on one side of their body and difficulty speaking. The physician attributes the symptoms to stress and advises rest and relaxation. However, the patient's condition worsens, and they are later diagnosed with a stroke. Delayed treatment leads to irreversible brain damage and long-term disability.
• Infection misdiagnosis: A patient undergoes surgery and develops symptoms of infection at the surgical site, including redness, swelling, and fever. The surgeon dismisses the symptoms as normal postoperative healing and fails to prescribe antibiotics or order further tests. The infection worsens, leading to sepsis and the need for additional surgeries to treat the complications.

In each of these examples, the misdiagnosis by a healthcare professional resulted in significant harm or adverse outcomes for the patient. Patients who have suffered due to misdiagnosis may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim if they can demonstrate that the misdiagnosis resulted from negligence or failure to adhere to the appropriate standard of care. Consulting with a medical malpractice attorney is essential for evaluating the merits of a potential claim and seeking compensation for damages incurred.

The Consequences of Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis can occur in various medical settings, including primary care offices, emergency rooms, and specialty clinics. Commonly misdiagnosed conditions include cancer, heart disease, stroke, and infections. 

When healthcare providers fail to recognize the signs and symptoms of these conditions, patients may experience:

• Delayed treatment, allowing the disease to progress to a more advanced stage
• Unnecessary or harmful treatments for conditions they do not have
• Physical pain and suffering due to untreated or inadequately treated conditions
• Emotional distress, anxiety, and depression stemming from the uncertainty of their medical condition and prognosis
• Financial burdens from additional medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term disability

At Cunningham Bounds, our Alabama misdiagnosis lawyers have a proven track record of success in handling these cases. We understand the complexities of these cases and the challenges they present. Our legal team can conduct a thorough investigation, consult with medical experts to evaluate the standard of care, and fight tirelessly to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for their actions.

How Medical Negligence Contributes to Diagnostic Errors

Medical negligence can contribute to diagnostic errors in various ways, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of medical conditions. Here are some examples of medical negligence that can contribute to diagnostic errors:

• Failure to perform adequate physical examination: A healthcare provider fails to conduct a thorough physical examination, neglecting to assess all relevant signs and symptoms that could aid in diagnosing the patient's condition. For example, a doctor may overlook palpable masses or abnormal skin lesions during a routine examination.
• Incomplete medical history taking: Healthcare providers may fail to obtain a comprehensive medical history from the patient, including past illnesses, medications, allergies, and family medical history. Missing or inaccurate information can lead to diagnostic errors by obscuring important clues about the patient's condition.
• Misinterpretation of symptoms: Healthcare providers may misinterpret or dismiss the significance of the patient's symptoms, leading to an incorrect diagnosis. For example, attributing chest pain to indigestion without considering the possibility of a heart attack can result in a delayed or missed diagnosis of a cardiac condition.
• Failure to order appropriate tests: Healthcare providers may fail to order necessary diagnostic tests or imaging studies that could aid in confirming or ruling out a suspected medical condition. For instance, neglecting to order an electrocardiogram (ECG) for a patient presenting with chest pain may result in a missed diagnosis of a heart attack.
• Misinterpretation of test results: Even when diagnostic tests are performed, errors can occur if healthcare providers misinterpret the results. For example, a radiologist may misinterpret a mammogram or a chest X-ray, leading to a missed diagnosis of breast cancer or pneumonia, respectively.
• Delay in follow-up or referral: Healthcare providers may fail to follow up on abnormal test results or delay referring patients to specialists for further evaluation. This delay can prolong the diagnostic process and lead to worsening of the patient's condition. For example, failing to refer a patient with concerning skin lesions to a dermatologist for biopsy could result in a delayed diagnosis of skin cancer.
• Confirmation bias: Healthcare providers may be influenced by confirmation bias, focusing on information that confirms their initial diagnostic impression while overlooking contradictory evidence. This can lead to tunnel vision and prevent consideration of alternative diagnoses, resulting in diagnostic errors.
• Lack of communication or collaboration: Poor communication or collaboration among members of the healthcare team can contribute to diagnostic errors. For example, failure to communicate relevant clinical findings during handoffs between shifts or between different specialties can lead to important information being overlooked or lost, contributing to misdiagnosis.

Learn How Cunningham Bounds Can Help You

Timely diagnosis is crucial in being able to effectively fight against many diseases such as cancer. If you or a loved one have experienced further injury or even a wrongful death as the result of misdiagnosis, you deserve compensation that can help cover medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Cunningham Bounds can effectively fight on your behalf with the resources of an established firm.

Contact Cunningham Bounds today. Our Mobile, AL misdiagnosis attorneys can fight tenaciously for the best possible outcome on your behalf.