When a doctor gets a diagnosis wrong, it can cause serious problems. But is a wrong diagnosis considered malpractice in Pennsylvania? Let’s break down what this means.
What is misdiagnosis?
Misdiagnosis happens when a doctor identifies a patient’s condition incorrectly. This can occur for several reasons, such as not ordering the right tests, missing symptoms, or misreading test results. A misdiagnosis can lead to wrong treatment, delayed treatment, or no treatment at all, making the patient’s condition worse.
What is malpractice in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, medical malpractice means a doctor did not provide the standard of care and caused harm to the patient. The standard of care is the level of care that a reasonably competent doctor would provide in similar situations. To prove malpractice, the patient must show that the doctor’s actions did not meet this standard and caused harm.
When does misdiagnosis become malpractice?
Misdiagnosis can be considered malpractice in Pennsylvania if it results from negligence or failure to meet the standard of care. Here are some examples where misdiagnosis may count as malpractice:
- The doctor did not order necessary tests or read the results correctly.
- The doctor ignored or missed important symptoms that should have suggested a different diagnosis.
- The doctor did not consider the patient’s medical history when making the diagnosis.
How to prove malpractice due to misdiagnosis
To prove that a misdiagnosis is malpractice, the patient must show several things. First, they need to prove that a doctor-patient relationship existed. Second, they must show that the doctor acted negligently, meaning the doctor did not provide the standard of care that a reasonably competent doctor would have provided.
Third, the patient must prove that this negligence caused their injury. Finally, the patient must show that they suffered damages, like additional medical bills, pain and suffering, or lost wages.
How misdiagnosis and malpractice work together
Not all misdiagnoses count as malpractice, but those that result from negligence and failure to meet the standard of care are considered malpractice under Pennsylvania law. Knowing these differences can help determine if a patient has a valid claim for medical malpractice.