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Denver Delay in Diagnosis Lawyers

Delayed Diagnosis Attorneys in Denver Who Know How to Win

The treatment of many diseases is greatly impacted by how early they are detected. When a diagnosis is delayed due to the negligence of a medical professional, treatment can also be delayed, which can make the difference between a successful recovery and catastrophic medical consequences. In some cases, a delay in diagnosis can have fatal consequences, leaving family members mourning a loved one who could have been saved.

We have seen patients go through months – even years – of daily agony, all because a diagnosis was not made properly. They only receive the proper treatment after dealing with a seemingly endless medical runaround.

If you or a loved one was seriously injured due to a delayed diagnosis in Denver, contact the experienced trial lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. Our firm has handled hundreds of cases like yours, across the nation, and we’ve won record-breaking medical malpractice verdicts for our clients. We take care of our clients, and we'll front all costs and take no payment until we recover compensation for you.

There is no charge for your initial consultation. To have one of our top Denver medical malpractice attorneys review your medical records for evidence of negligence in your diagnosis, please call us today at (303) 759-9945 or toll-free at (877) 433-3906.

How a Diagnosis Can Be Delayed

Doctors may neglect to order certain tests for different reasons — to save money, out of laziness, or simply because they fail to consider certain possibilities. If a doctor does not order a test that should have been provided, they may be liable for malpractice. Similarly, if a radiologist or pathologist runs a test but doesn't read the results correctly or relays the wrong information back to the doctor, that can make them at fault.

In some states, the hospital that employs these medical professionals may also be to blame, especially if they don't have safeguards in place to prevent these diagnostic errors.

A delay in diagnosis can occur in several ways, including:

Ordering the wrong tests
Diagnosing the wrong disease
Failing to consult a specialist
Failing to respond to atypical results
Failing to order standard diagnostic tests
Mistaking the side effects of a medication for a disease
Inaccurate test results from faulty equipment or human error
Failing to fully evaluate the patient's medical information

The Impact of a Delayed Diagnosis

A delayed diagnosis can lead to numerous serious consequences for a patient. The patient might undergo the incorrect treatment, if any, and the illness will grow. Further, when treatment is postponed, patients may experience a progression of their illness that could have been prevented with earlier intervention, leading to more extensive treatment, higher medical costs, and a more extended recovery period. In some cases, the opportunity for a cure may be lost entirely. In cancer patients, a delay in diagnosis may mean that more aggressive treatments will be needed that otherwise might have been avoided, including chemotherapy.

Beyond the physical impact, patients often suffer emotionally and psychologically due to increased stress and uncertainty about their prognosis.

Medical conditions that may have more profound consequences when diagnosis is delayed include:

Stroke
Heart attack
Sepsis
Pulmonary embolism
Deep vein thrombosis
Brain injuries
Meningitis
Birth injuries
Multiple sclerosis
Hepatitis
Lung cancer
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Colon cancer
Bladder cancer

Steps to Take If You Suspect a Delay in Diagnosis

Documenting your symptoms is a critical step in protecting your rights after experiencing a delay in diagnosis. Detailed records provide valuable evidence that supports your claim of medical negligence; it helps to keep a daily log of your symptoms, noting their frequency and severity.

Make sure to keep copies of medical records for every visit to a healthcare provider and receipts for copays and other expenses, such as parking and transportation. This documentation creates a timeline that demonstrates the progression of your condition and the opportunities for diagnosis that may have been missed.

Securing a second opinion is also helpful in safeguarding your rights after a delayed diagnosis. A second opinion doesn't only help ensure you'll receive the correct medical care moving forward; it also strengthens a legal claim by highlighting discrepancies in the initial diagnosis or treatment plan. Consulting another medical professional can also reveal alternative paths for diagnosis and treatment that were overlooked by your doctors. This second opinion should come from an unbiased healthcare provider with no connection to the initial diagnosis, ensuring an independent assessment of your condition.

It's important to contact a delayed diagnosis malpractice attorney as soon as you suspect medical negligence. An experienced lawyer will guide you on whether you have a viable case and advise you on the next steps. They can also help gather the necessary medical records, secure expert medical opinions, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.

The right attorney will be knowledgeable about the law, empathetic to your situation, and committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you. They should be clear communicators, explaining the legal process in understandable terms and keeping you informed at every stage.

The lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. only work on a contingency-fee basis — this means we only get paid if you win your case. You'll want to ask potential lawyers about their past cases, approach to client relationships, and how they plan to handle your case.

Forms of Compensation Available for Delayed Diagnosis in Denver

Compensation for medical malpractices includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses that result from a delayed diagnosis. They encompass a wide range of expenses, such as medical bills, the cost of medication, rehabilitation, and any necessary long-term care. If the delay has led to an inability to work, lost wages and diminished earning capacity are also considered.

Determining the extent of economic damages is critical in seeking legal compensation for a delayed diagnosis. Lost wages may include not only include the income already lost but also the potential future earnings that have been compromised due to the delay. When filing a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit, our lawyers will consider the patient's age, occupation, skill set, and the time taken off work for recovery. Calculating economic damages will often require expertise from an economist or financial analyst.

Accurately evaluating economic damages is crucial for securing fair compensation that reflects the true cost of the negligence incurred. Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. can document all related expenses to ensure every financial aspect is accounted for in the compensation claim. We aim to restore your financial position as if the delay had not occurred.

Non-economic damages are compensation for intangible losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship. These damages are inherently subjective and do not have a fixed monetary value, so they are more challenging to quantify than economic damages. Courts often consider the severity and permanence of the injury, the extent of the pain experienced, and the disruption to daily life.

Determining the full extent of your medical expenses requires a thorough accounting of all costs incurred due to the delay in diagnosis, including hospital stays, treatments, surgeries, and ongoing care needs.

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Speak with an Experienced Denver Medical Malpractice Attorney

Dealing with inexperienced medical professionals or apathetic hospital officials can leave you exhausted and feeling helpless. But you have options, and there are people who care about you and what has been done to you. When people come to Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. for help, our Denver delayed diagnosis lawyers work to find the necessary answers. We will sit with you and review your medical records in a confidential, no-cost consultation. Our clients are our top priority.

Proving that a delay in diagnosis is, in fact, an act of malpractice by a medical professional can be difficult. It requires skilled analysis, testimony, and a deep understanding of the law and medicine. The attorneys at our firm will spare no expense to advance your case at no upfront cost if we believe you have a good chance of receiving compensation through a settlement or jury verdict.

Call Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. at (303) 759-9945 or toll-free at (877) 433-3906 to learn more today.