Can I Sue a Doctor For Failing to Diagnose a Medical Condition in New York?

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Citizens across the United States trust that their doctor has their best interest in mind, and that he or she will treat them to the best of their ability. New York State, fortunately, has some of the most competent and caring physicians in the world. However, there are times where physicians act carelessly or incompetently. One of the worst things a doctor can do is fail to diagnose a medical condition on time. If this has happened to you, you are most likely now seeking compensation to help cover the cost of your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Our New York City medical malpractice attorney is here to help. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What can cause a delayed diagnosis of a medical condition?

Physicians can take too long to diagnose a condition for various reasons. Sometimes, the condition simply does not noticeably present itself. However, far too often, physicians fail to recognize symptoms of serious medical conditions before it鈥檚 too late, and usually as a result of negligence. Some of the most common types of doctor negligence include failing to order MRIs, mammograms, and CAT scans, negligently interpreting test results, and more.

What are the consequences of a delayed diagnosis?

When a medical professional fails to diagnose a medical condition, patients needlessly suffer. In some cases, failing to diagnose a condition or disease can even cause premature death. Oftentimes, this failure results in certain potential treatments becoming ineffective and no longer an option. If you or your loved one鈥檚 doctor failed to diagnose your medical condition in a timely fashion, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim.

How do I sue a medical professional for a delayed diagnosis?

To sue a doctor, you will have to prove that by wrongfully delaying your diagnosis by breaching the duty of care (i.e. behaving negligently and ignoring symptoms an otherwise competent physician should have reasonably observed) your medical condition worsened or you were harmed and sustained significant financial damages as a result.

You should note, however, that people only have a certain amount of time to take legal action against a medical professional in New York State, known as the statute of limitations. Since the statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits is 2.5 years, you will have 2.5 years to sue. If you wait too long, you will, generally, be barred from suing. We can begin the claims process immediately–all you have to do is ask.

Contact our experienced New York City firm

At Mark L. Bodner, P.C., we are committed to guiding clients through each step of the medical malpractice and personal injury claims process. Our firm understands how traumatic it can be when you become a victim of negligence. We are prepared to fight on your behalf to help you recover a maximum compensation award.聽Contact our firm today.