Creator: Ritesh Kukreja
Published: 2023-02-05T00:21:00Z

Receiving the incorrect diagnosis could turn your whole world upside down. It could send anyone into a spiral of doubt and despair that may be difficult to recover from. When diagnostic errors provide false or incorrect results, it's common to lose faith in the health care practitioner or the entire health care system. Repairing that trust may take some time, and many patients choose to submit a malpractice claim.Although the claim can't take back the misdiagnosis and the emotional trauma it caused, it provides comfort for the patients and their loved ones. Should the patient receive a settlement, the money could minimize the diagnostic errors' health impacts.Here are a few of the areas of health that these errors may affect:

Loss Of Life

The loss of life could undoubtedly be the most severe instance of diagnostic errors. Patients could receive incorrect diagnoses, and the underlying issue is overlooked. Medical malpractice claims are usually the next step to the process with help from attorneys like Snapka San Antonio Attorneys and others who can assist families through the process. Doctors and medical technicians are human, and human error could contribute to the misdiagnosis. Misinterpreting diagnostic tests could lead to the incorrect illness being treated, missing the main health issue. Another factor to consider would be that the diagnostic tests were flawed or that the equipment used to perform these tests were faulty. In this case, the machinery operating isn't necessarily at fault as the equipment should have been maintained and in good working order.In all of these instances, an investigation should be launched to determine the exact cause of the misdiagnosis and who the party responsible would be. Families may be subjected to a post-mortem investigation with an autopsy determining the cause of death.Diagnostic errors could occur anywhere, and they could happen to anyone. The highest reported malpractice cases come from hospital admissions, with private practices second place. Families who want to have support during this difficult time should contact a personal injury lawyer or attorney in their area who'd be able to assist with the claim. The legal professionals would have the necessary knowledge to investigate the misdiagnosis effectively.

Unnecessary Amputations

Loss of a limb or any other part of the body could be devastating, especially if unnecessary. The grief of losing a limb could be highly traumatic to the patient. In some cases, patients and their families get a second opinion just in time to save the limb, but the turmoil of going through this process lingers long after the fact. Not everyone would find more peace of mind in a second diagnosis.Some patients have to go through with the amputation to discover that it was unnecessary. The amputation would understandably be challenging to the patient, both emotionally and physically, as they'd need therapy to recover from the damage caused.Physical and occupational therapy would usually be recommended, lasting months until the patient has adjusted to the amputated body parts. Prosthetics could assist with this process, but the patients have to learn how to apply them and use them properly.When discharged from the hospital, patients sometimes find it hard to adjust to life with an amputation, and in some cases, it may be necessary to employ the help of a caretaker. Caretakers may assist with daily tasks and hygiene where the patients can't take care of these themselves.Depending on the severity of the amputation, there may be numerous adjustments that the patient would have to make in terms of their health. A lawyer or attorney with experience in these types of claims would assist the patient in submitting a claim.The same investigative procedures would have to be followed to determine where the fault lies, and, pending the outcome of the investigations, the claim can be prepared. Receiving a payout could assist the patient to cover some outstanding medical debt and make their life slightly more bearable when they can afford a helper

Psychological Impact

Patients receiving a misdiagnosis, especially a terminal one, could immediately have anxiety and eventually slip into a depressive state. Mental health is also part of the well-being of a person. Keeping their mental health in good shape should be a priority throughout any diagnosis or procedure. Medical personnel have been trained to observe changes in their patients' mental health and recommend psychological assistance where needed.When delivering news of a possible amputation or any other diagnosis that a patient may find difficult to digest, the medical professionals should monitor the patients' reactions and take the necessary steps immediately.Failure to acknowledge psychiatric conditions could also be seen as negligent on the medical personnel. While a patient is in their care, it's their responsibility to ensure that their patient remains healthy on all levels. Health and well-being are essential to a person's daily function, and taking the necessary steps to preserve this state is crucial. Receiving life-changing news could have lasting effects on patients that may require life-long care from a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.Pain and suffering include physical ailments and may also include mental consequences. Having suffered significant mental health complications could also be the basis for a malpractice claim. Although physical ailments could heal much quicker, the psychological aftermath could last for months or even years. This means that patients would have to attend therapy for the issue or be admitted to the hospital again during this time, which makes the costs pile up.Receiving a settlement would ease the continued psychiatric care required financial burden. Again, the best person to approach would be a personal injury lawyer or attorney as they'd know how to further the process.ConclusionThere are many things that could go wrong during a medical diagnosis. In each instance, the patient and their family may suffer greatly. Patients should be aware that misdiagnosis may be a possibility and should be prepared if it were to happen to them. Ensure that you find a knowledgeable and reliable legal team to back you in times of need.

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Ritesh Kukreja

Health & Food Blogger

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CountryIndia

JoinedJul 2021

Wrote165 posts

Ritesh Kukreja, a medical writer, collaborates with health researchers, physicians, and other healthcare experts to create health blogs and online medical content for instructional and informational purposes.View Profile