The failure to diagnose a medical condition can cause extensive harm to a patient. Of course, it can lead to a worsened condition and a decreased chance of survival, but even these severe damages don’t highlight the full extent of harm caused by medical malpractice.
Failing to catch serious illnesses before they progress can result in the need for additional medical care. This may include surgery, radiation and pharmacological therapy. These forms of medical treatment can be costly and leave a medical malpractice victim feeling sick for a significant period of time.
But a failure to diagnose can have even larger ripple effects. For example, one’s worsened medical condition can affect his or her mental health, which may require additional treatment. Also, many treatment centers are a significant distance away from their patients’ homes, meaning that these patients need to pay for lodging and transportation to and from treatment. These patients may also need to incur additional costs to cover childcare, all at a time when they may be struggling to deal with lost wages due to their inability to work.
As can be seen, the damages unfairly thrust upon medical malpractice victims can be extensive, which is why many victims turn to a medical malpractice lawsuit in hopes of finding financial relief. Building a case that has strong legal arguments as its foundation can leave a victim in a position where he or she may be able to impose liability and recover the compensation he or she needs to find the stability he or she deserves. The process can be highly contentious, though, which is why many choose to turn to an experienced legal advocate for help. These attorneys can not only help build a case for negligence, but they can help show a judge and jury the full extent of harm suffered.
