Misdiagnosis in Tampa Medical Malpractice Claims: How To Reduce Your Risks
The internet allows for easy searches of medical symptoms and probable causes, but your medical provider still needs to make an official diagnosis. Through diagnostic testing, patient monitoring, and other tools, you rely on them to identify underlying problems and take the actions needed to address them.
When they fail to take the proper precautions or show an appropriate level of care, medical misdiagnosis can happen. This can have potentially life-threatening impacts and is a common cause of Tampa medical malpractice claims. Our Tampa medical malpractice attorney shares how to protect yourself as a patient and reduce misdiagnosis risks.
Medical Misdiagnosis Can Have Major Impacts On Patients
Medical misdiagnosis is a common type of malpractice. It results from failure on the part of doctors or other medical providers to identify and treat the following:
- Unexpected medical emergencies, such as a heart attack, stroke, or accidental injuries;
- Underlying chronic conditions that could impact your health, such as diabetes or kidney disease;
- Life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer;
- Complications before, during, or after surgery that could put your life in jeopardy.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that when a medical misdiagnosis happens, it increases the odds of death and permanent disability for patients. Even in less severe cases, you could be facing an extensive recovery period.
The NIH urges doctors and other medical professionals to take precautions to prevent misdiagnosing patients. These include making sure patient charts are filled out completely, allowing enough time for appointments, requesting diagnostic tests, and making referrals to specialists as needed.
Ways You Can Help Prevent A Medical Misdiagnose
As patients, most of us are conditioned to follow our doctor’s advice. We trust that their extensive schooling and years of experience ensure we get the care we need. Unfortunately, medical professionals are only human. Not only can they make mistakes, but they may occasionally engage in outright negligent behavior that poses serious harm to patients.
Under the Florida Statutes, you have the right to hold your doctor accountable for a misdiagnosis in a medical malpractice claim. To protect yourself and help prevent these types of mistakes from happening, our Tampa medical malpractice attorneys recommend the following tips:
- Check reviews along with credentials when picking a health provider;
- Take the time to fill your chart out completely when you visit;
- Make a list of symptoms or other health issues you need to be addressed;
- Remind your doctor of any pre-existing conditions you have or specialists you visit;
- Make sure you understand any recommended courses of treatment;
- Request the results of any diagnostic tests;
- Keep copies of all your medical records;
- Do not hesitate to get a second opinion if you suspect your doctor is missing something or downplaying your condition.
Contact Our Tampa Medical Malpractice Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one is a victim of medical malpractice, contact Greco & Wozniak, P.A. We provide the professional legal representation needed to protect your rights and help you get compensation. Request a consultation with our Tampa medical malpractice attorneys today.
Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6716834/
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0766/0766ContentsIndex.html
