San Diego Failure to Diagnose Lawyer

San Diego Failure to Diagnose Attorney

Medical errors can devastate a family, but when a failure to diagnose worsens a condition or leads to death, it’s time to reach out to a San Diego failure to diagnose lawyer.

With decades of experience in personal injury and medical malpractice law, the team at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates understands the complexities of failure to diagnose claims, and our San Diego-based team is here to support you in your pursuit of compensation for medical malpractice.

Understanding Failure to Diagnose

Failure to diagnose happens when a healthcare provider either overlooks a diagnosis or fails to identify a medical condition entirely. In many cases, this leads to serious consequences for patients, including worsening of an illness, unnecessary pain, or even death.

As a bustling city with a diverse population, residents of San Diego trust local hospitals and healthcare providers, like UC San Diego Health or Scripps Health, to maintain a high standard of care. However, even within these reputable institutions, mistakes can happen, and it’s important to know that you have the right to hold healthcare providers accountable.

Common Causes of Failure to Diagnose

Whether it’s due to communication breakdowns, misinterpreting test results, or simply overlooking key symptoms, the impact of a missed diagnosis can be devastating. Understanding the common causes behind these errors is important, as there are many reasons why a healthcare provider might fail to diagnose a condition properly, including:

• Inadequate communication. Miscommunication between healthcare professionals, whether during shift changes or because of administrative errors, can result in overlooked symptoms.
• Failure to follow up. In some cases, a healthcare provider may fail to provide necessary follow-up tests or examinations to confirm a diagnosis.
• Overlooking symptoms. Busy healthcare settings can lead to fatigue and rushed decisions, causing a doctor or nurse to overlook critical symptoms or misinterpret test results.
• Diagnostic errors. Misreading lab results, imaging studies, or physical exams can lead to missed or incorrect diagnoses.

Healthcare professionals in San Diego, especially in busy hospitals, are often dealing with large numbers of patients, which can increase the likelihood of diagnostic mistakes, but at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, we’re prepared to fight for your rights and pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.

The Consequences of a Failure to Diagnose

When a healthcare provider overlooks a condition or fails to recognize it in time, the impact can be devastating, as delayed treatment, incorrect treatment, or no treatment at all can result in:

• Worsened medical conditions. The failure to diagnose can allow a condition to progress, making it more difficult to treat or even make it fatal.
• Suffering and pain. Patients may suffer through unnecessary pain, discomfort, or complications because of the delayed diagnosis.
• Financial losses. The medical costs associated with treating a condition that worsened due to a failure to diagnose can be substantial, in addition to lost wages from being unable to work.

At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, we’re committed to helping victims of medical malpractice seek the compensation they deserve. By providing the legal guidance and support you need, together, we can hold negligent healthcare providers accountable so you can begin your path to recovery.

Legal Considerations in Failure to Diagnose Cases

Failure to diagnose cases hinges on complex medical and legal principles, including proving that the healthcare provider breached their duty of care and that this breach directly caused harm. At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, we immediately get to work building a robust argument that can showcase:

• Duty of care. The healthcare provider had a responsibility to provide a certain standard of care.
• Breach of duty. The provider failed to meet this duty of care, whether through a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose.
• Causation. The injury was directly caused by the breach of duty.
• Damages. Harm happened because of the failure to diagnose, which could include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The legal landscape in failure to diagnose cases is intricate, requiring not only an understanding of medical standards but also an ability to effectively present a case in court. At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, our experienced team is here to help you through the process.

FAQs

Can I File a Claim Even If the Provider Didn’t Intentionally Overlook My Condition?

Yes, even if the failure to diagnose wasn’t intentional, you may still have a valid case. Medical malpractice claims often develop from negligence or errors, and if this negligence led to harm, you have the right to pursue a claim for compensation, regardless of intent. The team at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates can review your case to determine your next steps.

How Long Do I Have to File a Failure to Diagnose Claim in California?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice claim, including failure to diagnose cases, is generally three years from the date the injury occurred or one year from when you discovered the injury. However, specific details of your case could affect this timeline, so it’s important to consult with the team at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates to ensure you don’t miss important deadlines.

Can I Claim Compensation for Emotional Distress Due to a Failure to Diagnose?

Yes, in a failure to diagnose case, you may be able to claim compensation for emotional distress. If the misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis caused you significant anxiety, depression, or emotional suffering, this could be factored into your overall damages. At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, our legal team can help determine the appropriate amount for non-economic damages based on the emotional impact of the error.

What Role Do Medical Professionals Play in Failure to Diagnose Cases?

Medical professionals are very important in cases of failure to diagnose, as they help establish the standard of care that should have been followed and demonstrate how the healthcare provider deviated from it. These professionals can testify about the correct diagnosis, how it should have been identified, and how the failure to diagnose led to harm.

Contact Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates Today

If you’ve suffered from a failure to diagnose in San Diego, Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates is here to advocate for you. Our team is committed to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to individuals who have experienced medical malpractice. We understand the challenges you face, both physically and financially, and we’re dedicated to helping you seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to speak with our legal team.