When you feel unwell, the first port of call is usually visiting your doctor. After all, they are the people with the knowledge and training to make a diagnosis and start you on the right course of treatment to get you healthy again. We put our trust and health in these medical professionals' hands, expecting the best possible care. However, doctors and other health professionals can make mistakes, leaving you with a misdiagnosis that could make your illness worse. If this is something that you have experienced, you can work with a medical malpractice lawyer in Knoxville to secure compensation that will help you manage the after-effects of a misdiagnosis.

Let's take a closer look at some of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions and what you can do if you or a family member has been affected.

Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions In The US

Based on studies conducted by the likes of the National Academy of Medicine and Mayo Clinic, these are 10 of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions in the United States.

  1. Stroke - Stroke is often misdiagnosed as a migraine, vertigo, or even intoxication, especially in younger patients who are not in the standard demographic for stroke patients.
  2. Heart Attack - Women and young people often present with very atypical symptoms when they are having a heart attack, which can lead to misdiagnosis of anxiety or indigestion.
  3. Cancer - Cancer is often missed in the early stages since the symptoms can seem vague and mimic other less serious conditions. Among the cancers that are most often diagnosed are lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.
  4. Sepsis - Sepsis has been enjoying increased awareness in recent years. However, it is still commonly misdiagnosed as flu or a milder infection, leading to delays in administering the appropriate treatment for this life-threatening infection.
  5. Pulmonary Embolism - Blood clots in the lung have symptoms, including shortness of breath and chest pain, which can be dismissed as anxiety or pneumonia.
  6. Meningitis - Unfortunately, meningitis can look like a cold or flu, often leading to missed or delayed diagnosis.
  7. Pneumonia - Pneumonia is often misdiagnosed as a lesser viral illness or heart failure, especially when it presents in elderly patients.
  8. Spinal Abscess - Spinal abscesses are rare, which is likely why they can be misdiagnosed as standard musculoskeletal back pain until additional neurological symptoms develop.
  9. Lyme Disease - The early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, and rashes, which can mimic many viral illnesses. Not every case gets the hallmark bullseye rash leading to misdiagnosis.
  10. Autoimmune Disorders - Autoimmune conditions such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis have a wide range of symptoms and can be intermittent, making them difficult to diagnose.

What To Do If You Have Been Misdiagnosed?

If you believe that you have been misdiagnosed, you may want to seek compensation. You will need to enlist the services of a medical malpractice lawyer in Knoxville. You should get another doctor's second or third opinion to confirm the misdiagnosis. You will need strong evidence to support your case, so gather medical records, test results, and other relevant documentation. The next step would be to seek out an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Knoxville to handle your lawsuit. After a consultation, the lawyer should be able to advise if you have a valid case. Usually, there must be evidence of a clear deviation from the expected standard of care, and your medical malpractice lawyer in Knoxville must be able to show that the misdiagnosis resulted in genuine harm, whether that is physical, financial, or emotional.

Understanding What You Need to Prove

Medical malpractice cases are a particularly tricky category of personal injury, so it is essential that you work with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Knoxville who knows how to handle this type of case. The burden of proof lies with the victim, and your medical malpractice lawyer will need to prove the following:

  • You must prove that the doctor owed you a duty of care.
  • There must be evidence that the doctor or healthcare professional breached the usual standard of care
  • There is clear causation that caused harm, such as worsening the injury or causing a permanent disability.
  • You have suffered losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, so you are owed damages.

You may need an expert medical witness to testify that your misdiagnosis would fall below the expected standards of medical care. It is important to save any documentation, including medical bills, prescription receipts, insurance statements, and proof of lost income. It can also be useful to keep a journal throughout to document how the misdiagnosis is affecting your day-to-day life, including lost opportunities, daily pain levels, and emotional distress. These are some of the things that are useful to your medical malpractice lawyer in Knoxville when filing your lawsuit.

Being misdiagnosed can have devastating effects on your health, finances, and emotional well-being. If you or a loved one has suffered because of a misdiagnosis, it's important to take action quickly. Working with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Knoxville can help you seek the compensation you deserve and begin the process of moving forward. With the proper legal support and strong documentation, you can hold negligent healthcare providers accountable and secure the resources needed for your recovery.

--

Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

Please reference BV&B's content disclaimer (located in this channel's profile description) in regard to this shared content.