Atlanta Sepsis Misdiagnoses Lawyer
Conditions such as sepsis can cause severe harm to patients who go undiagnosed. The symptoms of sepsis are often mistaken for other diseases. If you or a loved one have sustained harm due to an inaccurate diagnosis, you may need to reach out to a skilled misdiagnosis attorney.
Handling a medical malpractice claim could be difficult, especially for patients dealing with the aftermath of a misdiagnosis. Retaining an Atlanta sepsis misdiagnosis lawyer could improve your chances of achieving a successful outcome in your case.
Common Causes of Sepsis Misdiagnoses in Atlanta
If caught in the very early stages, sepsis can be treated and stopped. Unfortunately, patients with sepsis are often misdiagnosed.
Misidentifying Symptoms of Similar Diseases
There are many diseases that mimic sepsis, such as pulmonary embolism, deep-vein thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and pancreatitis. Sepsis patients who are being treated for the wrong disease may risk further deterioration of their health.
Failure to Conduct the Correct Tests
If a medical provider recognizes symptoms of sepsis but does not run the appropriate tests to further confirm that diagnosis, the patient may not be able to receive the appropriate treatment.
Testing Errors
Errors in the testing process could also lead to a misdiagnosis. For example, tests that are not properly executed or accurately reported may produce unreliable results. Regardless of the reason for a misdiagnosis, sepsis patients may benefit from hiring a local attorney to handle their case.
Consequences of an Inaccurate Diagnosis
An inadequate diagnosis could exacerbate someone’s transition into a more serious stage of the disease, such as septic shock. Sepsis patients who reach this point risk permanent damage to their health or even death. To limit the negative consequences of sepsis, those who believe they or a loved one have been misdiagnosed should contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Potentially Liable Parties in a Local Misdiagnosis Case
Medical providers are required to operate under a certain standard of care. If a sepsis misdiagnosis occurred due to a departure from that standard, and the patient was injured as a result, she may be entitled to recover monetary damages. In addition to the doctor who failed to provide a proper diagnosis, there may be other liable parties in a sepsis misdiagnosis case.
Emergency Room Staff
It is not uncommon for individuals to come into the emergency room with symptoms of sepsis. Any medical staff involved in the patient’s treatment could be held liable for the misdiagnosis.
However, it is important to note that emergency departments have special protections. O.C.G.A. §51-1-29.5 states that in an emergency room claim, the filing party must show that the medical provider was grossly negligent by clear and convincing evidence.
Lab Technicians
Lab technicians who are responsible for running diagnostic tests and reporting the results might also be responsible for a sepsis misdiagnosis.
Radiologists
After imaging tests are performed, the results are often analyzed by a radiologist. If a doctor interprets computerized tomography (CT) scans, x-rays, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans incorrectly, he or she could be at fault for the resulting misdiagnosis. A skilled lawyer could review a patient’s case to determine who should be named responsible in his or her sepsis misdiagnosis lawsuit.
Contact an Atlanta Sepsis Misdiagnosis Attorney Today
Sepsis is a devastating condition, and the damages that result from it could be life-changing. If you or a loved one have been misdiagnosed and suffered, you should explore your legal options with an Atlanta sepsis misdiagnosis lawyer. You may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
The attorneys at our firm could work as a team to address your specific needs. Call our office today to speak with a lawyer about your case.
