Misdiagnosis vs. Missed Diagnosis in Baltimore

Although the two phrases are often used interchangeably, misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis are very different concepts. This subject is even more confusing because the two phrases sound almost identical when spoken aloud. Often, patients only realize the distinction when reading the words spelled out. So, what exactly is the difference between a “missed diagnosis” and a “misdiagnosis” in Baltimore?

Misdiagnosis Defined 

A misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor or health care provider gives you incorrect information about your medical condition. In other words, they diagnose you with the wrong disease, injury, or disorder. For example, you might visit a doctor due to pain in your chest, and you might receive a diagnosis of breast cancer. However, the doctor might have made a mistake – and you might endure months of needless, expensive, and traumatic procedures as a result.

Some issues are more difficult to diagnose than others, and misdiagnosis doesn’t always lead to medical malpractice lawsuits. Generally, only serious mistakes can lead to these types of lawsuits. For example, a trained doctor might misread an X-ray and misdiagnose a patient. If there was clear, obvious evidence of a completely different illness staring them in the face, this could be considered gross negligence and serious misconduct. In other serious cases, doctors may ignore or fail to review important medical data simply because they cannot be bothered.

Missed Diagnosis Defined 

A missed diagnosis occurs when a doctor fails to notice obvious evidence of a medical issue in a timely manner. This might also be referred to as a “delayed diagnosis.” For example, you might visit your doctor with clear, visible evidence of a dangerous skin condition. Your doctor might dismiss the issue and claim that there is nothing wrong with you. Months later, the skin condition could progress to the point where it becomes life-threatening. In this case, the doctor’s failure to diagnose the issue could be considered a missed diagnosis. It could also constitute medical malpractice.

In worst-case scenarios, missed diagnoses can be fatal. Many diseases are best treated as soon as possible, and early treatment generally has a higher success rate compared to late treatment. Cancer is especially important to treat as early as possible.

Can I Sue on Behalf of a Deceased Loved One for Misdiagnosis or Missed Diagnosis? 

If you believe your loved one’s death was caused by misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, you may have the opportunity to sue on their behalf. This is called a “wrongful death lawsuit” in the legal world. If successful, this type of lawsuit can provide you with compensation for funeral expenses, unpaid medical fees, future missed wages, and other damages.

Find a Qualified Medical Malpractice Attorney in Baltimore 

Although a misdiagnosis is not the same as a missed diagnosis, both can lead to serious harm to innocent patients in Baltimore. More importantly, both can lead to medical malpractice lawsuits. If you believe you suffered preventable injuries due to either of these issues, you have the right to speak with a qualified, experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. Choose Furman Honick Law today, book a consultation, and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.

Sources: 

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK338594/

verywellhealth.com/how-common-is-misdiagnosis-or-missed-diagnosis-2615481