Misdiagnosis Lawyers in Pittsburgh

Common Forms of Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis can take many forms, including:

• Failure to Diagnose – A physician overlooks or ignores signs of a medical condition entirely, delaying treatment.
• Incorrect Diagnosis – A doctor diagnoses the wrong illness, often leading to harmful or unnecessary treatment.
• Delayed Diagnosis – A correct diagnosis is eventually made but not in time to prevent worsening of the patient’s condition.
• Failure to Recognize Complications – A doctor may diagnose a condition but fail to recognize complications or related issues.
• Failure to Identify an Underlying Condition – Treating symptoms without investigating the root cause of illness.

Common Causes of Misdiagnosis

Several factors can contribute to medical misdiagnosis, including:

• Inadequate Medical History Review – Skipping important details from a patient’s medical history can lead to incomplete or inaccurate conclusions.
• Failure to Order Proper Tests – Neglecting to order blood work, imaging, or other necessary diagnostic tests is a leading cause of misdiagnosis.
• Misinterpretation of Test Results – Radiology errors, lab mistakes, or overlooked abnormalities can cause a condition to go undetected.
• Time Constraints – Physicians who rush through appointments may fail to thoroughly examine or listen to patients.
• Communication Errors – Breakdowns between doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff can result in incomplete or inaccurate information being shared.
• Cognitive Bias – A doctor may prematurely settle on a diagnosis without considering other possibilities, known as "anchoring bias."

How Common Is Medical Misdiagnosis?

Medical misdiagnosis is common in the medical field, with an estimated 12 million people being misdiagnosed annually in the United States alone. This means that roughly one in every 20 adults will be a victim of a medical misdiagnosis within any given year.

Though there is no single cause for misdiagnoses, some mistakes can be attributed to inadequate training and education, poor communication between healthcare providers, and rushed assessments. Other potential risk factors include language barriers between doctors and patients and fatigue from long working hours. There are also many instances where technology can impede progress; for example, in cases where lab results have been lost or computer systems fail to integrate information correctly. 

How a Misdiagnosis May Impact a Patient's Health

The consequences of a misdiagnosis can be life-altering and, in some cases, fatal. Patients who are misdiagnosed may:

• Undergo unnecessary or harmful treatments, including surgeries and medications
• Miss the critical window for effective treatment of serious conditions like cancer, stroke, or heart disease
• Experience worsening symptoms and diminished quality of life
• Suffer long-term disability or permanent injury
• Endure emotional distress and financial strain from ongoing medical bills and lost wages

In the most tragic cases, a misdiagnosis can lead to wrongful death, leaving families to cope with devastating loss.

Misdiagnosis FAQs

Is every misdiagnosis considered medical malpractice?

No. Not every diagnostic error qualifies as malpractice. To file a claim, you must prove that the misdiagnosis resulted from negligence and caused you harm.

How long do I have to file a misdiagnosis claim in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is generally two years from the date you discovered or should have discovered the injury. Certain exceptions may apply.

What compensation can I recover in a misdiagnosis case?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages.

Who can be held responsible for a misdiagnosis?

Potentially liable parties include doctors, nurses, specialists, hospitals, urgent care centers, and diagnostic laboratories.

How much does it cost to hire a Pittsburgh misdiagnosis lawyer?

At Friday & Cox LLC, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.

How a Pittsburgh Misdiagnosis Attorney Can Help

Proving medical malpractice in a misdiagnosis case requires a deep understanding of both medicine and the law. At Friday & Cox LLC, our Pittsburgh misdiagnosis lawyers:

• Conduct thorough investigations into medical records and test results
• Consult with medical experts to determine whether negligence occurred
• Identify all liable parties, including physicians, hospitals, and diagnostic labs
• Pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages

Our team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of patients who have been harmed by negligent healthcare providers.