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Delayed Diagnosis Lawsuit

Time is of the essence when treating a serious medical condition. However, delayed diagnoses are among the most common medical malpractice claims our attorneys see. When a healthcare provider delays diagnosis, they put patients at a serious disadvantage and increase their risk for complications, or sometimes even death. Yet, unfortunately, the development of most patient safety measures have centered on error prevention in hospitals, not one-on-one in doctors’ offices, leaving delayed diagnoses for patients as a serious issue.

Dedicated Medical Negligence Lawyers Serving Clients Throughout Illinois

We have represented clients who have been victims of delayed diagnoses for over 20 years. Our attorneys have handled a number of cases involving delayed diagnoses, including a record $14 million Chicago medical malpractice verdict against a hospital for the delayed diagnosis of lung cancer. Armed with this experience, we may be able to help you or your loved ones hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation so that we can get started helping you.

$14 million

Verdict

against a doctor and hospital for not following and ignoring abnormal chest X-ray results, which caused a substantial delay in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

$4.75 million

Settlement

for the surviving family of a 45-year-old man who died from a heart condition after physicians delayed reading an MRI for nine days

$950,000

Settlement

against a physician for failing to biopsy a known breast tumor, resulting in the delay of diagnosis of breast cancer, causing death.

The Impacts of a Delayed Diagnosis

It is important to diagnose medical conditions and administer the correct treatment as early as possible, especially when patients are suffering from cancer or other diseases. Delaying a diagnosis leads to a delay in crucial treatment of a disease, cancer or other medical condition. Treatable problems can escalate and become much more serious if not addressed early, particularly with cancer, which, if caught early, can sometimes be prevented from spreading. Many of these errors stem from doctors being hesitant to order enough or the right tests and lab work. In addition, many patients unfortunately suffer from both a mis- and delayed diagnosis—what begins as a misdiagnosis turns into a delayed diagnosis of the actual, correct condition.

Some of the most common incidents of delayed diagnoses occur when a medical provider misreads tests or x–rays, loses test results, or fails to perform the correct tests. We often see these types of claims associated with medical conditions such as:

Unfortunately, these errors are not just limited to doctors; in some offices, nurse practitioners do a significant amount of one-on-one work with each patient either before they see the doctor, or without seeing a doctor at all. Nurse practitioners are not trained in the same way as doctors, and they too can make mistakes in diagnosing the problem. Several types of medical professionals can be involved in a delayed diagnosis that has consequences for the patient.

Attorneys Helping Victims of Delayed Diagnoses

If a delayed diagnosis leads to injury or death, the medical professional(s) responsible can be held liable. These mistakes can result in a lifetime of additional medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering for your family, and other harms.

If you believe that an Illinois healthcare provider delayed diagnosis for you or a loved one, please contact us online or call a Chicago personal injury lawyer at 877-374-1417 or 312–332–2872 to discuss your potential medical malpractice claim.

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