When people in Oregon visit their doctor with a medical complaint, they trust that the doctor will use his or her expertise to diagnose the situation or, if the condition surpasses the doctor’s expertise, refer the patient to a specialist. Occasionally, a doctor will misdiagnose a condition. This can lead to a malpractice suit because of a failure to diagnose.
Misdiagnosis is one of the most frequent malpractice issues. In a recent case, a woman who was otherwise healthy went to her doctor complaining of a severe headache that would not go away. The doctor diagnosed a migraine, prescribed some pills and sent her on her way, but the woman’s condition continued to worsen, and a second opinion revealed that she had a growth in her brain. The growth was treated, and the woman recovered. Had she not sought a second opinion, she might not have been so lucky.
Other issues that can end in malpractice are delayed diagnoses, surgical errors and inadequate treatment. Surgical errors can include problems with anesthesia, improper procedures and even leaving surgical instruments or materials inside of a patient. Inadequate treatment or inadequate follow-up treatment can result in problems such as infections or improper healing.
A person in Oregon who feels he or she may have received inadequate medical care such as a failure to diagnose a serious condition may want to seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer would be able to review the circumstances of the situation and determine if a civil suit is possible. A successfully litigated claim can assist with medical costs and pain and suffering.