How Do I Know Whether My Diagnosis Was Delayed?

If you think you might have received a delayed medical diagnosis, you may be right. But how do you find out for sure? After all, you’re probably not a medical expert. How do you tell the difference between a normal diagnosis and a delayed diagnosis in Maryland? This process may be somewhat complicated, but you’re not alone. Enlist the help of a qualified medical malpractice lawyer in Baltimore, and it might be easier to determine whether you should have received an earlier diagnosis.

Each Medical Malpractice Case Is Different 

The first thing you need to understand about delayed diagnoses and medical malpractice in general is that each case is slightly different. The definition of a “delayed diagnosis” may vary based on your unique circumstances. For example, it might be more difficult to diagnose certain illnesses compared to others. Some disorders may be very obvious, while others may be more subtle. A “reasonable” doctor may be justified in delaying diagnosis of more subtle illnesses, while late diagnoses of more obvious illnesses may be unreasonable.

Consider the Written Policies of the Healthcare Providers 

You may be able to determine whether your diagnosis is late by checking the written policies of your healthcare provider. Most hospitals and clinics have very clear protocols when it comes to diagnosing and assessing various illnesses. Many of these protocols are universal across the entire nation, and some are followed by doctors around the world.

If a healthcare provider violates their own written policies or strays from set procedures, this may be a clear sign of malpractice. Your medical malpractice lawyer can help you review these written policies to determine whether your diagnosis should have been faster.

For example, breast cancer checkups should occur within every few months for middle-aged or older women. The interval between these checkups may vary depending on the specific age of the patient. If the doctor fails to follow this formulaic approach to periodic checkups, they may face accusations of medical malpractice. The same logic applies to many other illnesses and injuries in Maryland.

Consider Your Symptoms and Statements 

You might also want to consider the symptoms you exhibited in the past – and the statements you made to your healthcare providers. For example, you might have displayed clear signs of a traumatic brain injury. You might have also complained about headaches, memory loss, and other clear signs of brain injuries. If your doctor failed to take action despite these clear statements and symptoms, you may have received a delayed diagnosis.

Find an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Maryland

If you’ve been searching for an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Maryland, look no further than Furman Honick Law. With our help, you can begin to understand what constitutes a delayed diagnosis in Owings Mills. We can also assess your unique circumstances and determine whether you have experienced a delayed diagnosis firsthand. Call us today and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.

Sources:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5017013/

mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/5/641