Justice for Patients Harmed by Diagnostic Delays in Columbus, OH

At Beausay & Nichols Law Firm, we understand the gravity of delayed diagnosis of health conditions. Our firm has been standing up for medical malpractice and personal injury clients for over four decades, securing highly impressive results. If you have suffered harm due to a delayed diagnosis of your condition, we are ready to evaluate your case and determine its potential for securing a settlement. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a delayed diagnosis attorney in Columbus, OH.

Common Examples of Delayed Diagnosis

Delayed diagnosis involves failure to recognize or diagnose a condition within a reasonable timeframe. In many cases - but not all - delayed diagnosis is the result of medical malpractice. Some conditions tend to be subject to delayed diagnosis more often than others. These include the following:

  • Various types of cancer can be misdiagnosed or diagnosed late due to vague symptoms.
  • Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis often have nonspecific symptoms that can lead to delays in diagnosis.
  • Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are often mistaken for other health issues.
  • Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are often misdiagnosed, especially in children and adolescents.
  • Appendicitis symptoms can mimic other gastrointestinal issues, leading to delayed diagnosis and potential complications.
  • Kidney disease in its early stages may not present clear symptoms, leading to delays in diagnosis until significant damage has occurred.

Common Causes of Delayed Diagnosis

While thorough evaluations and follow-up care can ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of various health conditions, medical professionals can sometimes act negligently, leading to delayed diagnosis. Some examples of medical negligence that can lead to delayed diagnosis include:

  • Misreading diagnostic tests
  • Failure to order appropriate tests
  • Overlooking symptoms
  • Miscommunication among medical staff

At our law firm, we take delayed diagnosis cases seriously. We know the consequences are often catastrophic. We will build a claim illustrating exactly how the delay in diagnosing your condition caused you harm and pursue compensation on your behalf. If the progression of the condition caused the death of your loved one, we can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to ensure the surviving family members receive legal recourse. 

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Legal Implications of Delayed Diagnosis in Columbus, Ohio

In Columbus, OH, if you suffer due to a healthcare provider's failure to diagnose your condition promptly, you may have the right to take legal action. However, you must establish a case of medical malpractice by demonstrating these four legal elements:

Doctor-Patient Relationship

The initial step involves proving that you sought medical care and the provider accepted the responsibility to treat you. This relationship establishes a duty of care, or the provider was legally bound to act in your best interests. Without this relationship, there is no legal basis for medical malpractice.

Breach of the Standard of Care

The standard of care you should receive is the level of care and skill a reasonably competent healthcare provider would provide on a similar occasion. For example, if a doctor neglects to order necessary tests that a competent physician would have performed, this could be considered a breach of care. A Columbus, OH, delayed diagnosis lawyer will help present evidence that the provider's actions fell below the expected standard.

Causation of Harm

You must also prove that the delay in diagnosis led to a worsening of your condition, additional complications, or even death. Establishing this connection often requires detailed medical evidence and expert testimony to illustrate how the delay impacted the patient’s health. 

Compensable Losses

You must also show how the deviation caused an actual financial and emotional toll on you. Compensable losses in a delayed diagnosis case in Columbus, Ohio, could include:

  • Medical expenses for additional treatments
  • Lost wages due to time off work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Wrongful death benefits 

The financial and personal costs of delayed diagnosis can be devastating, particularly when the disease requires extensive treatment that could have been avoided with proper care. Our attorneys will thoroughly document and prove all your damages to ensure you receive compensation that truly reflects the full impact of the hospital's negligence on your life.

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Consult with a Columbus, OH, Delayed Diagnosis Lawyer Today

If you have suffered an adverse health outcome due to a delayed diagnosis of a medical condition, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. Our skilled delayed diagnosis lawyers in Columbus, OH, know how to hold negligent healthcare professionals accountable and are standing by to protect your legal rights. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our team.

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