Medical Misdiagnosis

Medical misdiagnosis occurs when a physician or other medical professional fails to diagnose a patient's condition or makes the wrong diagnosis. This type of medical error can occur when treating infants, emotional or behavioral conditions, digestive problems, rare diseases, or other ailments whose symptoms are vague or may be confused with other conditions. The wrong diagnosis or a missed diagnosis can lead to the wrong medication or treatment, which in turn can cause harm to the patient.

Medical negligence is defined as a medical professional's failure to exact the degree of care, skill, and prudence that a reasonable medical professional would in a similar situation. Like medical misdiagnosis, medical negligence can lead to pain, suffering, and even death.

Chalik & Chalik Law Offices is helping put an end to medical misdiagnosis by filing claims and suits against the medical practitioners at fault.

Nearly half of all medical patients have felt that they have experienced a medical error or misdiagnosis, according to the National Patient Safety Foundation. That’s a staggering amount of people. Among the diseases most frequently misdiagnosed are:

  • Breast Cancer
  • Tuberculosis
  • Lung Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Testicular Cancer
  • Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
  • Strokes
  • Pulmonary Embolism
  • Bacterial Meningitis
  • Appendicitis

One of the best ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of medical misdiagnosis is to seek a second opinion from another qualified medical professional. In addition, it is a good idea to repeat lab and other medical tests. Most importantly, ask questions and research the condition and the symptoms of the condition that was diagnosed.

Florida Law and Medical Misdiagnosis

Medical misdiagnosis in the State of Florida falls under the same statute as medical malpractice. These are the limitations governing malpractice lawsuits in Florida:

  • You must commence the medical malpractice lawsuit within 2 years of the date of the act that you believe caused the injury, or within 2 years from the date the injury was identified or should have been detected.

  • If more than 4 years have passed from the date of the act that you believe caused the injury, no malpractice action may be taken.

  • These limitations apply to minors age 8 and older. Under Florida law, if a child younger than 8 years old has injuries that you believe were caused by medical malpractice, the lawsuit must be filed by the child's 8th birthday or within the timeframe limits defined above, whichever time period is greater.

If you believe a medical misdiagnosis may have caused you or someone you love to be injured or suffer needlessly, please contact Chalik & Chalik Law Offices to have one of our medical misdiagnosis attorneys evaluate your claim.