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When should you claim for a medical misdiagnosis? Find the answers here.

How To Tell You Have Been Misdiagnosed

For those who are suffering from illnesses or health conditions, it is common practice to visit a GP to get themselves checked and treated. Sometimes, it may be the case that the doctor may not fully understand the cause of the problem affecting you and misdiagnose the condition which can lead to either further injury or worsening the health condition.

According to medical misdiagnosis claims solicitors Gadsbywick solicitors, this problem can happen with any type of health care professional including your doctor, physiotherapist, or private practice medical professionals – and a lot of people may be entitled to claim for compensation, without even realizing it.

In fact, in 2020 alone, over 6000 patients in the UK were misdiagnosed and their treatments were either delayed or they were given the wrong medication for their health issue.

So, if you have an inclination that you may fall under this category, and may be unsure if your situation is considered a misdiagnosis, you should seek professional help. There are three common ways to tell, but others may also be discussed with your solicitor:

• Your doctor may have given you the incorrect medication which has an adverse effect and is based on an incorrect diagnosis which has led to a negative effect.
• You visit your doctors and he/she fails to diagnose your health condition entirely. After which your health starts to deteriorate affecting your physical or mental wellbeing.
• If your GP or any other medical professional has delayed diagnosing your condition and you find yourself suffering as a result of it.

These three indicators are a sure way to claim compensation.

Medical Conditions That Can Be Misdiagnosed

There is a whole list of different medical conditions that can be given the wrong diagnosis which can lead to further complications in both mental and physical health, some worse than others. Below are a few of these that can lead to a worsening of your health if they aren’t diagnosed correctly and treated immediately. If you are suffering from any but feel like your GP hasn’t treated you appropriately for it, you should consider claiming.

Meningitis

A life-threatening condition that has symptoms including fever, neck pain, vomiting, a rash. Convulsions and drowsiness can be the sign of Bacterial meningitis. If your doctor missed the symptoms and either did not treat them or left you or your child with the wrong medication you can claim a misdiagnosis.

Cauda Equina syndrome

When suffering from this health condition you may require immediate medical treatment to stop a slipped disc pressing on your nerves. This can happen very easily and signs that it may be the case are urinary retention, a loss of sensation within the genital areas, a sharp stabbing sensation in your legs and lower body and localised lower back pain to name a few. A list of the symptoms for Cauda Equina Syndrome can be found online and can especially affect older people more than the younger, as they lose balance.

If you have told your GP about the symptoms and they diagnose it incorrectly you may claim compensation.

Other similar conditions you may be able to claim for are:

• Subarachnoid haemorrhage
• Cancer misdiagnosis
• Ectopic pregnancy

Always make sure you give your medical practitioner all the information regarding your symptoms, no matter how big or small, so they can help to find the right treatment that will help, and not hinder your health condition further.

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