Chicago Delayed or Missed Diagnosis Lawsuits

Timing is critical when it comes to receiving an accurate medical diagnosis. Studies consistently show that people who are promptly diagnosed have the best chance at a positive prognosis and successful recovery, especially when fighting life-threatening conditions like cancer and heart disease. Failure to receive timely treatment can be the difference between life and death for patients. Yet missed and delayed diagnosis cases remain the most common and deadly form of medical malpractice in the U.S.

A physician’s failure to promptly diagnose a serious medical condition can have life-altering consequences. Patients who receive a delayed diagnosis are more likely to require prolonged hospital stays, invasive surgeries, and aggressive treatment. Yet even the most advanced medical technology cannot make up for lost time. Despite treatment, delayed diagnoses frequently result in failing health, lifelong disability and death. If you or a loved one has been seriously affected by a missed or delayed diagnosis, you may have a basis for a Chicago medical malpractice lawsuit.

Misdiagnosis by doctors and other healthcare workers is a common but serious occurrence in the health care industry. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of all medical cases include a missed, incorrect, or delayed diagnosis, according to the National Center for Policy Analysis. Nearly 30 percent of these misdiagnoses are life threatening or contributed to the disability or death of a patient. In U.S. intensive care units alone, more than 40,000 people die each year due to diagnostic errors.

Unfortunately it’s all too easy for doctors and nurses to make mistakes. Physicians may misread X-rays or lab results. They can mistake symptoms for less serious illnesses. They may fail to order important diagnostic tests or prescribe needed medication. As the result of healthcare provider negligence, patients often fail to receive swift treatment for such serious conditions as:

In many cases, doctors don’t even realize they’ve made a potentially dangerous error. But their carelessness can cost patients their health, their money, and even their lives. The effects of misdiagnosis and other medical mistakes can be devastating for victims and their families, often leading to exorbitant medical bills, lost wages or financial support, and inestimable pain and anguish. If you or a loved one has endured injury or failing health as the result of a missed or delayed diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation for harm suffered.

With more than 65 years of experience successfully representing patients and their families in Illinois medical malpractice lawsuits, our personal injury attorneys are equipped to handle even the most complex misdiagnosis claims. When you’re struggling to cope with the fallout from a medical error, the last thing you should be worried about is dealing with insurance companies and overwhelming medical bills. When you enlist the assistance of Phillips Law Offices, our attorneys will help you understand your legal rights, prove negligence in your case, and work with insurance companies and other involved parties to obtain the compensation that you deserve.

There is no excuse for a preventable medical mistake that robs a patient of his or her livelihood or life. Lawsuits that hold negligent physicians accountable ensure families receive the financial compensation they need to begin the healing process, while motivating doctors and hospitals to do a better job of administering care. If you have reason to believe you have been the victim of a failed or delayed diagnosis, let our knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys help you find justice. Contact our Illinois medical malpractice lawyers at (312) 346-4262 or online for your free legal consultation – and allow us to assist you on your road to recovery.