The medical professionals whom we trust to diagnose and treat us may not always be as qualified, diligent or careful as we expect. And when doctors, nurses, surgeons and other medical professionals make mistakes or oversights, patients can develop far more serious health complications, some of which may life threatening (in the most dire cases).
To help you understand when you may have been subjected to medical mistakes or oversights, the following are some of the most common red flags of medical malpractice. If you believe that you or someone you love has been the victim of any type of medical malpractice, you are encouraged to contact a trusted Cleveland personal injury lawyer at the Piscitelli Law Firm to find out more about your recovery options.
RED FLAGS OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE & NEGLIGENCE:
- A diagnosis that doesn’t fit the symptoms – A proper diagnosis should explain why you are experiencing certain health impairments, with the symptoms fitting the condition. When, however, there are symptoms that don’t match the diagnosis, it’s far more likely that you may have either been misdiagnosed or that there may have been a failure to diagnose all of your health complications. Under these circumstances, it’s best to ask more questions and consider getting a second option.
- A complicated diagnosis with little to no testing – Although diagnostic testing isn’t needed for every situation or patient, it is absolutely essential for diagnosing more complicated conditions (like, for instance, cancer, diabetes, and traumatic brain injuries). When such complex diagnoses are made without any (or with very little) diagnostic testing administered, however, it’s time to be suspicious. Question the medical professional about how and why (s)he came to the diagnosis with minimal testing, as you may discover that medical malpractice was at play.
- Worsening health despite undergoing the prescribed treatment(s) – For many conditions, a proper diagnosis and the right treatments should trigger health improvements. When your health seems to be getting progressively worse, however, despite undergoing the treatment(s) prescribed by your doctor (and when the condition is not malignant), take that as a red flag of medical malpractice. In these cases, the chances are that a misdiagnosis, a failure to diagnose or improper treatments occurred.
- A different diagnosis from another medical professional – Conflicting diagnoses are another warning sign of medical malpractice, as they can reveal when one doctor may have misread test results, failed to administer the appropriate diagnostic tests and/or otherwise made serious mistakes in the diagnostic process.
It’s important to note that these are by no means the only signs of medical malpractice – and that different forms of malpractice (such as surgery errors, anesthesia mistakes, etc.) may have other warning signs to look out for.
Find out more about your rights and how we can help you by calling 216-820-9832. If you choose to move forward with us, you will not have to pay attorney fees unless you obtain a settlement in your case.
About the Author: Frank Piscitelli
As a first-generation Italian in the United States, Frank is no stranger to tough times. His father’s family moved to Cleveland from Italy on May 22, 1958, with a few articles of clothing, some personal items and very little money. His family shared a home with three other related families but happily worked long hours doing jobs that involved physical labor, just to put food on the table. There was the promise of hope and opportunity, which was missing before his family moved here.
