Oregonians rightfully expect to be treated properly and effectively when they go to the doctor. Receiving such care, though, is entirely dependent upon being accurately diagnosed. Sometimes doctors struggle to diagnose complex diseases and illnesses that are themselves difficult to treat. Other times, though, these medical professionals fail to diagnose easily detectable conditions. When this happens, and a patient receives delayed treatment, he or she may be left irreparably harmed.
This happened recently to a man who went to the hospital and left without the use of his left leg. According to a lawsuit filed by the man, doctors failed to acquire the man’s medical history, perform a proper examination, and to diagnose and treat acute arterial occlusion of his left leg. The condition may have been caught if doctors had ordered and properly read appropriate tests, but their failure to do so allowed the blood clotting disorder to progress to the point that the man was left with a worsened condition and without the use of his left leg.
A failure to diagnose can be extremely harmful to a patient. If treatment is delayed or never given to a patient, then he or she may develop a more progressed illness that may be irreversible and fatal. Injured individuals may be left permanently disabled and/or disfigured. Yet, those who are harmed by a doctor’s failure to diagnose may be dealt a blow not only to their physical health, but also to their emotional and financial well-being as well.
Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against a negligent doctor may help the victim obtain compensation for both economic and noneconomic losses. These recoveries may aid in covering damages such as medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Though it may not reverse a worsened medical condition, these awards may help provide comfort and allow a victim to acquire the best medical care possible.
Source: The Madison-St. Clair Record, “Man claims doctor failed to adequately treat his clotting disorder,” March 31, 2014