According to the Institute of Medicine, medical negligence is responsible for approximately 100 thousand deaths every year. We have been discussing leukemia this week because it can be easy for doctors to misdiagnose. Leukemia symptoms can be so minor that patients will live with them for years. A visit to the doctor can result in a flu diagnosis since leukemia symptoms closely resemble influenza.
For any type of cancer, early detection and diagnosis is critical. Any delay can result in the cancer spreading throughout the body and reducing the patient’s chances of survival. In addition, any misdiagnosis can lead to medication errors, which further harm the patient. Doctors can commit medical errors by failing to do any of the following:
· Failure to order additional tests
· Failure to listen to patient complaints
· Failure to take a complete medical history of the patient
· Failure to refer the patient to a specialist
As a patient, you know your body better than anyone else does. Consult another doctor for a second opinion if you feel uncomfortable with the initial diagnosis. If a medical mistake occurs, there are legal options available to you.
Call our office at 504-522-7885 if you suffer harm from a medical misdiagnosis or medical error. Our website has more information on how we can help you.
Harrell & Nowak, LLC – New Orleans medical malpractice attorneys