Overall, Americans trust medical providers to make an accurate diagnosis. Most of the time, this trust is warranted. Physicians have a lot of training and education to help them respond correctly to sick patients. However, doctors are human, too, which means they are prone to making errors like anyone else.
Unfortunately, the mistakes local doctors make can result in significant harm to patients. For example, failure to diagnose remains a massive problem in the medical industry, often leading to increased illness or worsening symptoms. Even though your doctor likely believed he or she gave you a correct diagnosis, good intentions are not reason enough for absolute forgiveness in these cases.
What ailments do doctors commonly misdiagnose?
An incorrect diagnosis can arise in any medical situation. However, some occur more frequently than others. Below are three of the most common misdiagnoses among medical providers in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Stroke. A stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Doctors can mistake a stroke for something less dangerous such as a migraine or simple vertigo, especially in relatively young patients. A misdiagnosis matters because it puts lives and health in severe jeopardy.
- Heart attack. Also a medical emergency, a heart attack may be misdiagnosed as a panic attack or severe indigestion. Such a misdiagnosis matters because it can lead to death in many cases.
- Cancer. Cancer can mimic several different medical conditions. For example, lung cancer looks a lot like a lung infection or a respiratory ailment. Unfortunately, a misdiagnosis of cancer matters because it delays life-saving treatment for patients.
The list above is far from complete, but it can help you start investigating if you continue to suffer from symptoms or if your condition worsens following treatment. If you believe your doctor failed to diagnose your condition, a good next step is to reach out for a legal analysis of your case.
You may qualify for a medical malpractice claim based on a doctor’s failure to diagnose your illness. Such a claim can result in substantial financial compensation to help you get the proper treatment and potentially overcome your medical condition.
