When a case of medical malpractice occurs, a patient could be facing severe damages both physically and financially. One of the worst medical malpractice cases that can come about is delayed diagnosis.

In a delayed diagnosis case, a doctor fails to share critical health information with a patient intentionally or accidentally. This brand of medical malpractice also includes a misdiagnosis or a completely missed diagnosis. Such malpractice can result in massive damages, including delayed treatment or wrongful death.

If you or a loved one suffered from a delayed diagnosis, action must be taken. Being compensated for the damage that has been caused before the consequences become fatal is critical, so make sure you have a firm plan in place before diving into legal action.

Read on for a step-by-step process on navigating the delayed diagnosis process and what comes after.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Delayed Diagnosis

Before you step into a courtroom to argue that the diagnosis of your illness has been delayed, you will need to form a strong plan and a coherent story to back it up. The following is a five-step process that you should follow to increase your chances of getting what is owed to you.

1. Recognize your illness. If you believe you have been the victim of a delayed diagnosis, the first obvious step you will want to take is to determine that you are feeling ill. If your diagnosis has been delayed but you feel completely normal, you can probably work something out between you and your doctor. But if you noticeably feel ill or have suffered because of a delayed diagnosis, the process should continue.

2. Get a second opinion. As is good practice in many other medical situations, it would be helpful to seek out another medical professional to put into writing what you may be suffering from. Getting a doctor's endorsement, who can attest to some present issue, can legitimize your case. If all you have to go on through this process is your word, the case may be seen as far more flimsy.

3. Obtain your medical records. This may be the most crucial step. Get the written proof and a clear timeline that a delayed diagnosis has taken place and get a hold of your medical records. You are entitled to your medical information, so getting the necessary materials should be relatively straightforward. Your records can reveal when symptoms began and at what point a diagnosis should have been solidified.

4. Define the damages. After determining what has been ailing you, consider the actual damages your illness has caused in your life. Determining what actual damages, physical or otherwise, have been caused due to the delayed diagnosis should be identified. You know better than anyone what you have gone through.

5. Hire a legal expert. Before diving into the legal process, the final step is to contact a medical malpractice attorney that you can trust to get the job done. The medical establishment is well connected, so you will need to do everything you can to gain an advantage. Selingo Guagliardo provides expert consultation and unmatched professionalism to help you navigate this difficult situation.

Selingo Guagliardo Can Help

If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of a delayed diagnosis, make haste in getting compensated for the damages that have been caused. The consequences of flippant medical care can be extreme, and medical professionals need to be held accountable when their mistakes are costly.

The medical malpractice lawyers at Selingo Guagliardo can provide the service you need to win your delayed diagnosis lawsuit.

Even though the situation may seem dire depending on your condition, you should still make every effort to ease the financial burden of a delayed diagnosis by getting in touch with a knowledgeable attorney.

Allow Selingo Guagliardo to help you go forward by giving us a call.