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Failure to Diagnose

When patients visit their physicians, they generally trust that these highly trained professionals can assess symptoms, order appropriate tests, and make an accurate diagnosis before recommending a treatment plan. Unfortunately, everyone makes mistakes. When a doctor fails to diagnose a medical condition, the error can sometimes be catastrophic for the patient. In some cases, the failure to diagnose can provide the basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

When patients visit the law firm of Rutter Mills in Virginia to discuss the failure to diagnose medical malpractice, our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and explore your options for legal recourse.

Should I file a ‘failure to diagnose lawsuit?

Even the most highly trained and experienced doctors sometimes make mistakes, and not all medical errors can provide the basis for a lawsuit. To file a lawsuit, you must be able to prove that the failure to diagnose a condition resulted in harm to you. For example, if your doctor failed to diagnose sepsis resulting in the amputation of a toe or foot, you have suffered grievous injury, and you could have the basis to file a lawsuit.

When evaluating your case, our failure to diagnose lawyers will consider whether the elements of medical malpractice are present. They are as follows:

  • There was a doctor-patient relationship (the physician owed a duty of care).
  • The duty of care was breached.
  • The patient suffered harm.
  • The harm was the direct result of the physician’s negligence.

Before filing a lawsuit, we will consider whether the physician acted or failed to act in a way that a similarly trained physician could reasonably be expected to act. It should be noted that even competent doctors can make diagnostic errors sometimes. This is known as the standard of care. A breach in the standard of care could form the basis for a failure to diagnose a lawsuit.

How can a lawyer prove medical malpractice?

An attorney will often use expert testimony to prove that a doctor negligently breached the standard of care. An expert, such as a similarly trained doctor, could testify that the plaintiff’s physician failed to act in a way that would be reasonably expected, given the patient’s symptoms and medical state.

Specifically, the expert witness may provide a differential diagnosis, a list of all possible medical causes of the patient’s symptoms. This list is then narrowed down through medical tests, exams, and assessments until the doctor develops a definitive diagnosis. Some of the specific errors that may be made in a failure to diagnose case could include the following:

  • The doctor might have been negligent in developing the differential diagnosis, meaning that one or more possible diagnoses might not have been considered.
  • The doctor might have failed to order a necessary medical test or exam.
  • The doctor may have failed to interpret the results of a medical test correctly.
  • The doctor should have referred the patient to a specialist but failed to do so.

In some cases, a failure to diagnose results from the negligence of other medical professionals. For example, a lab technician may have mixed up a sample, used an improper procedure, or provided wrong test results. A lawyer will consider all the possibilities before naming the defendants in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It’s also possible that the diagnostic equipment itself was malfunctioning. In this case, the medical equipment manufacturer might be held liable for design or manufacturing defects.

Our lawyers are ready to meet with you.

For more than five decades, the legal team at Rutter Mills has been fighting for the rights of victims of medical malpractice. If you have suffered harm due to a delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or other medical mistakes, please get in touch with us immediately to discuss your case. Initial consultations are free, and there is no obligation to file a lawsuit. Call us 24/7 at our law firm in Norfolk and Newport News, VA to request an appointment with a medical malpractice attorney.

Rutter Mills attorneys have the skills and experience to win your case. We’ve focused on social security law for over 50 years and helped thousands of clients get the benefits they need – and deserve. Rutter Mills is proud to serve some of the following Virginia cities and their surrounding areas.

Three Things You Should Know About Social Security Disability
What are the chances of being awarded SSDI?

Nationally, well over half — 64% — of all initial claims are denied. The odds are even worse on appeal — less than 14 percent of all “requests for reconsideration” are granted. Get Rutter Mills to put the odds back in YOUR favor.

Is it worth trying to get social security disability benefits?

Absolutely. If you’re like most of us, your work is your primary source of income; few can afford to do without it. And there are a number of things you can do to greatly improve your chances.

What can I do to improve my chances of receiving benefits?

Contact Rutter Mills. We can help you with your application and steer you through the entire process, even if you have been denied in the past.

Trusted personal injury advocates

Rutter Mills has earned numerous legal accolades and recognition such as Top 100 Trial Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Super Lawyers of America. Our personal injury attorneys are active in their communities and take great pride in helping injured individuals and their families on their path to recovery. When you are suffering physical, financial and emotional hardships caused by serious injury, you need a legal advocate who truly cares about your well-being.

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When you’ve been injured, you’ve got a lot at stake - but so does the insurance company. Walking into the court room with a serious lawyer makes all the difference. Watch our video to learn more about Rutter Mills. Your lawyer matters.

“Nothing makes you feel more vulnerable than being hurt or ill. And nobody likes to ask for help. But when you need it most, we’re at our best. We give our clients the confidence and support they need to know they’ll be taken care of – that they’ll get the best outcome possible, even in the face of a very bad situation.”

– Brother Rutter

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★
Rutter Mills will be my only call if I ever need legal representation in the future.
-Dan, Rutter Mills Client
"The staff at Rutter Mills worked for me from the first minute I was in their office. They called and emailed every week and kept better records than I did. I was injured and had to undergo two operations from the accident. The recovery period was long with many physical therapy sessions over the next year. The staff emailed me many times, asking if there was anything they could do to make me feel better during my recovery. During this time my attorney was active in filing the paperwork for court litigation, but was contacted by the other law firm that wished to discuss settling my case. Depositions were done and the final one was scheduled and I was present to complete that phase of the case. My attorney got a maximum award for me and I will be forever grateful for his and their staff's work and attention during my time of legal need. Rutter Mills will be my only call if I ever need legal representation in the future."
★★★★★

-Joshua, Rutter Mills Client
"I am so happy with Rutter Mills and their staff. I highly recommend them. I am so happy I chose them to represent me! One of the best decisions I ever made."
★★★★★

-Lorie, Rutter Mills Client
"I have had multiple experiences with Rutter Mills and they have all been extraordinary. Their firm is not only quick and happy to help, they genuinely want to help you in any way they can. They are equipped with a sincere and professional team who work diligently to resolve your matters quickly. I would highly recommend their services."
★★★★★

-Christina, Rutter Mills Client
"I was injured at work. I didn't know where to go. I called another lawyer and got negative responses. I called Rutter Mills after seeing a commercial. I was pleasantly surprised at the swift settlement of my case. I will call them first from now on."
★★★★★

-Dan, Rutter Mills Client
"The staff at Rutter Mills worked for me from the first minute I was in their office. They called and emailed every week and kept better records than I did. I was injured and had to undergo two operations from the accident. The recovery period was long with many physical therapy sessions over the next year. The staff emailed me many times, asking if there was anything they could do to make me feel better during my recovery. During this time my attorney was active in filing the paperwork for court litigation, but was contacted by the other law firm that wished to discuss settling my case. Depositions were done and the final one was scheduled and I was present to complete that phase of the case. My attorney got a maximum award for me and I will be forever grateful for his and their staff's work and attention during my time of legal need. Rutter Mills will be my only call if I ever need legal representation in the future."

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