When you visit a doctor or other health care professional with an ailment, you expect to get a correct diagnosis and proper treatment. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. In fact, in the United States, there are an estimated six million cases each year of missed and misdiagnoses that lead to patient harm.
Your Misdiagnosis Lawsuit
At Kline & Specter, PC, we understand how frightening it can be when your doctor makes an error that results in serious injury or even death to you or a loved one. You may feel as though there is no place to turn, but with more than 50 lawyers, five of whom are also doctors, we can help with cases of delayed, missed, or misdiagnosis. Call our offices directly at 800-243-1100 to schedule a free consultation.
Common Misdiagnoses
Some commonly missed symptoms and misdiagnosed serious illnesses include the following:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Pulmonary emboli (blood clot in the lungs)
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Multiple sclerosis
- Depression
- Parkinson's disease
- Celiac disease
- Meningitis
- Lyme disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Appendicitis
Ways to Safeguard Against Misdiagnosis
As a patient, being proactive can greatly increase your odds for survival. Be on the lookout for warning signs of potential problems that your body gives you. Be very clear when communicating your symptoms to your doctor and make sure he or she knows your medical history. Don’t be afraid to request a secondary diagnosis from your doctor, ask for tests to be done, follow up on the results and seek out a second opinion. You are your best first line of defense against medical misdiagnosis.
Misdiagnosis Case Study No. 1: $33.1 million - Tom Kline proved that a paperwork error allowed a patient’s breast cancer to go undetected for eight months and to spread. A Lehigh County jury found that her doctor and a company providing mammography services were negligent in failing to diagnose breast cancer and awarded the patient $33.1 million. She ultimately died as a result. (See the Welteroth Case)
Misdiagnosis Case Study No. 2: $20 million - A jury in Montgomery County, Pa., awarded $20 million to a six-year-old boy who went blind after doctors failed to treat a curable retinal condition when he was an infant. (Lee)
Misdiagnosis Case Study No. 3: $10.1 million – In a November 2015 case, a Philadelphia jury handed down a verdict for baby who was late diagnosed with bacterial meningitis at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The child suffered brain damage that resulted in deafness and learning disabilities. (Tillery)
Misdiagnosis Case Study No. 4: $7.4 million - A Delaware County, Pa., jury awarded $7.4 million to a 61-year-old man who suffered a crippling stroke after his doctor failed to treat symptoms including a blood pressure of 200/80. (Cuff)
Misdiagnosis Case Study No. 5: $3 million - A Montgomery County jury awarded $3 million to the estate of a woman—survived by her husband and four children—who died of breast cancer after a doctor misread her mammogram. This trial was later featured on ABC’s Nightline. (Lackman)
Misdiagnosis Case Study No. 6: $2.9 million - A Delaware County, Pa., jury awarded $2.9 million to the widow of a physician who died of internal bleeding due to the misdiagnosis and negligence of two former friends and colleagues at Crozer Chester Medical Center. (Ebel)
If you or a loved one suffered injury or death due to a delayed, missed or misdiagnosis, you may have a legal claim. Kline & Specter has the expertise to review your potential misdiagnosis lawsuit. Call us at 800-243-1100 to speak with a misdiagnosis attorney today for a free evaluation of your case. We represent clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey , Delaware and nationwide.