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Medical malpractice happens when a medical professional makes a serious mistake. These errors can lead to lasting harm or even death. Patients trust doctors to help them, not to cause more problems.
Conboy Law Injury & Malpractice Lawyers helps victims of medical malpractice across Chicago. If you’ve been hurt by a misdiagnosis, surgical error, or wrong medication, we’re here to guide you. Our team understands how complex these cases can be. We fight for fair compensation and justice.
The most common type of medical malpractice case involves misdiagnosis. It affects patients of all ages. A delayed or wrong diagnosis can change a person’s life. Knowing the signs can help you take action early. If a healthcare provider’s actions caused harm, you may be able to file a malpractice claim.
Misdiagnosis is the top reason people file medical malpractice lawsuits. It happens more than any other type of medical mistake.
Misdiagnosis means the doctor got it wrong. They may name the wrong illness or miss the illness entirely. This often leads to incorrect or delayed treatment. Some patients may get worse. Others may receive harmful or unnecessary care.
Not all mistakes are malpractice. But when healthcare providers fail to follow proper standards, and that mistake causes harm, it may become a medical malpractice case.
Diagnosis is a complex process. Doctors must listen to the patient, review the patient’s medical history, and order the right tests. In busy hospitals or clinics, corners are sometimes cut. Symptoms may be brushed off or confused with something minor.
Some illnesses mimic others. Without the right testing or attention, even trained healthcare professionals can miss key signs. Misdiagnosis often happens in emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and even regular doctor visits.
When medical malpractice occurs, patients suffer the consequences.
Some illnesses are harder to catch than others. When doctors miss them or confuse them with something else, it can lead to serious harm.
Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions in medical malpractice cases are:
Cancer is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed conditions. Breast, lung, and colon cancers are often missed in early stages when treatment could be most effective. A doctor may overlook test results or fail to order the right imaging.
A delayed diagnosis can allow the cancer to grow or spread. This can lower survival chances and require more aggressive treatment. In many cases, patients report symptoms but receive no follow-up. Misdiagnosis may also involve identifying a tumor as non-cancerous when it’s actually malignant.
When healthcare providers fail to act or interpret tests properly, patients suffer. Early detection is key. When a provider misses that window, it could become a medical malpractice case. Victims may be able to seek compensation for lost time, extra treatments, or poor outcomes caused by the delay.
Heart attacks and strokes are medical emergencies. When doctors miss the signs, the results can be fatal. These conditions are often mistaken for less serious issues like heartburn, anxiety, or migraines. Symptoms may vary based on gender, age, or patient’s medical history.
Some doctors fail to take complaints seriously or don’t order proper tests like EKGs or CT scans. Others misread the results. If a medical professional fails to act quickly, the heart or brain may suffer permanent damage. In some cases, the patient dies before the correct diagnosis is made.
When medical malpractice occurs in these cases, it’s often due to poor communication, missed symptoms, or a lack of urgency. A fast and correct diagnosis can mean the difference between recovery and lifelong disability.
Serious infections can turn deadly fast. Sepsis and meningitis require quick diagnosis and treatment. These conditions may first look like the flu, which is why doctors sometimes miss them. Delays in diagnosis often come from not ordering blood tests or ignoring rising fevers, confusion, or other warning signs. Without antibiotics or proper care, the infection can spread through the body.
When healthcare professionals fail to recognize the signs of an infection, the results can include brain damage, organ failure, or death. Misdiagnosed infections are common in emergency rooms where staff are rushed or overwhelmed.
Failing to identify a life-threatening infection in time may qualify as medical malpractice. If you or a loved one suffered from a missed infection, you may be eligible to file a malpractice claim.
Blood clots, especially pulmonary embolisms, can be deadly. These conditions often go misdiagnosed because their symptoms mimic other health issues like panic attacks or muscle strain.
A clot in the lungs can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. When a medical professional overlooks these signs or fails to order imaging, the patient is at risk.
In some cases, doctors may discharge the patient too soon or miss results that point to a clot. This delay can allow the clot to move, leading to stroke, heart damage, or sudden death.
When medical malpractice occurs in cases like these, it’s often because a doctor didn’t follow proper steps for diagnosis. If that error causes serious harm or death, it could be grounds for a medical malpractice case.
Autoimmune diseases are hard to diagnose. Lupus and multiple sclerosis (MS) have symptoms that overlap with other common conditions. Patients may suffer fatigue, joint pain, or nerve problems that are often dismissed.
Some doctors fail to take complaints seriously. Others may not order the right tests or refer the patient to a specialist. These delays can cause more pain, disability, or organ damage. Since autoimmune diseases can flare up and calm down, diagnosis becomes more complicated. But when a medical professional ignores symptoms or gives the wrong diagnosis repeatedly, it may be a sign of medical negligence.
Misdiagnosing lupus or MS can lead to the wrong treatment, more symptoms, or emotional distress. In serious cases, the delay can result in permanent injury. When this happens, the patient may have a valid medical malpractice claim.
Misdiagnosis can lead to serious results. Some are physical. Others are emotional or financial.
Missing a diagnosis often means treatment comes too late. The delay allows the condition to get worse. In some cases, it becomes untreatable.
Without the right care, illnesses can spread or become chronic. Some patients never fully recover. Others may suffer permanent injuries.
When the diagnosis is wrong, the treatment is often wrong too. This can cause more harm. Some patients undergo surgeries, take the wrong medication, or face painful side effects.
Misdiagnosis can cause fear, anxiety, and lost trust in doctors. It also brings medical bills, lost wages, and added costs from repeated visits.
Not all medical errors count as malpractice. But when they do, it’s important to understand your rights.
To file a medical malpractice claim, you must show:
These four parts are key in every medical malpractice case.
Medical records are critical. They show what care you received and what was missed. An expert review helps prove the doctor made a serious error. Chicago medical malpractice attorneys often work with specialists to confirm the mistake and build your case. The stronger your proof, the better your chances of a fair outcome.
Yes. Giving care to the wrong patient is a serious medical error. It may result in the wrong medical treatment, surgery, or medication. If this causes harm, you may have a strong case for medical malpractice.
Yes. Medication errors — like giving the wrong dose or drug — can be life-threatening. If the mistake causes harm, it may qualify as malpractice. A lawyer can help you review what went wrong.
Anesthesia errors happen when too much or too little anesthesia is given. They can cause pain, brain injury, or even death. These errors often point to negligence and may lead to a valid malpractice claim.
If you received the wrong drug or dose, you may be able to sue. Prescription drug errors can cause serious reactions or lasting harm. An attorney can help you understand your rights.
Yes. A birth injuries medical malpractice lawyer can help if a doctor’s mistake caused harm during delivery. These cases protect the child and the family, and they support long-term patient safety for others.
If you or someone you love has been harmed by a medical error, you may have a case. Many medical malpractice victims suffer quietly, not knowing they have legal options. But if a doctor failed to provide proper care or caused harm through a serious mistake, you have the right to take action.
Conboy Law Injury & Malpractice Lawyers helps patients and families across Chicago. Our team understands how devastating medical treatment mistakes can be. Whether the case involves medication errors, anesthesia errors, or a prescription drug error, we are here to help. We also handle complex cases like birth injuries and wrong patient incidents.
Our firm puts patient safety first. We investigate every case with care and fight to recover the compensation you deserve. We charge no fees unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted Chicago medical malpractice lawyer.
Conboy Law - Chicago, IL
Address: 60 W Randolph St. 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60601
If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t hesitate to contact our injury attorneys today!
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