Monroe Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Misdiagnosis, Delayed Diagnosis & Failure to Diagnose in Louisiana

When you begin experiencing adverse symptoms, you trust that your doctor will provide an accurate, timely diagnosis so that you can begin receiving the care you need. Unfortunately, diagnostic errors are some of the most common mistakes made in medical settings—and the consequences can be disastrous.

When patients do not receive the correct diagnosis, or when their diagnosis is delayed, they may receive the wrong treatment with their actual condition going untreated. This can lead to serious injury, worsened condition, and life-threatening complications. Sadly, many patients die due to misdiagnoses and delayed diagnoses.

If you were harmed or if someone you love died because of a medical provider’s negligence, reach out to Parker Alexander to discuss your case with one of our award-winning Monroe misdiagnosis attorneys. With decades of legal experience and a proven record of millions recovered for our clients, we have earned a reputation in our community for client-focused representation and aggressive advocacy. We are ready to put our experience, resources, and reputation on your side.

Contact us online or call our office at (318) 625-6262 today to get started with a free, no-risk consultation. 

What Is Considered a Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis?

Misdiagnosis occurs when a medical professional provides a diagnosis that ends up being incorrect. The treating physician may provide the initial diagnosis based on improperly performed diagnostic tests, misreading of test results, or simply a misanalysis of the patient’s symptoms.

Delayed diagnosis occurs when a medical provider fails to offer a diagnosis in a timely manner. This might occur because the medical provider does not properly assess the seriousness of the patient’s symptoms, delays diagnostic testing, fails to notify the patient of test results, or sends the patient home without a diagnosis.

To have grounds for a medical malpractice case, you must prove that the doctor who treated you failed to uphold the standard of acceptable care. This typically involves examining what another qualified medical provider would have or wouldn’t have done in the same or similar circumstances and determining whether the treating physician deviated from this standard.

For example, if your doctor ordered a series of tests based on your symptoms but was unable to provide a diagnosis and, therefore, referred you to a specialist, this does not necessarily constitute negligence. In fact, the doctor could reasonably argue that he or she did everything within reason to provide a diagnosis. However, if your doctor failed to take your symptoms seriously, did not order any diagnostic tests, or did not correctly read the results of those tests, you may have grounds for a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis claim.