A missed diagnosis can leave a patient facing delayed treatment, worsening symptoms, additional medical procedures, and uncertainty about what went wrong. When a healthcare provider fails to identify a condition that should reasonably have been diagnosed, the consequences can sometimes support a malpractice claim.
Attorney Mike Holder, a founder and partner at Holder Susan Slusher, LLC, represents injured clients throughout Missouri and has recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. For patients in Columbia, MO, determining whether a missed diagnosis amounts to malpractice requires a close look at both the medical care provided and the harm that followed.
When Does A Missed Diagnosis Become Malpractice?
Not every diagnostic error is medical malpractice. A poor outcome alone does not establish negligence. A potential malpractice case generally requires evidence that the provider’s care fell below accepted medical standards and that the error contributed to further injury.
Examples may include:
- Failing to order appropriate diagnostic testing
- Misinterpreting laboratory or imaging results
- Failing to follow up on abnormal test results
- Overlooking symptoms that should have prompted further evaluation
- Failing to refer a patient to an appropriate specialist
A missed diagnosis may become especially significant when earlier detection could have allowed more effective or less invasive treatment.
What Harm Can Result From A Delayed Diagnosis?
The effects of a delayed diagnosis vary depending on the condition involved. A patient may require more extensive treatment, experience greater pain, lose income during a longer recovery, or face a worse prognosis.
Recoverable damages may include additional medical expenses, reduced income, pain and suffering, future healthcare needs, and other losses caused by the diagnostic delay. Establishing that connection often requires careful review of medical records and expert medical evidence.
Why Timing Matters In Missouri Malpractice Cases
Missouri generally requires medical malpractice actions to be filed within two years of the negligent act, although specific exceptions can apply in limited circumstances. Because missed diagnosis cases may involve questions about when an error occurred and when it was discovered, waiting too long can create significant legal problems.
Missouri law also imposes procedural requirements on medical malpractice cases, including an affidavit addressing the claim’s merits.
Discuss A Missed Diagnosis Claim In Columbia, MO
A missed diagnosis can affect a patient’s health, finances, and future treatment options. Holder Susan Slusher, LLC can review the circumstances surrounding a delayed or incorrect diagnosis and determine whether a malpractice claim may be appropriate.
To schedule a consultation and discuss a potential claim, contact Holder Susan Slusher, LLC at 573-499-1700.