Has a loved one been going into the doctor to treat an ailment, but the doctor ends up failing to diagnose their fatal medical condition? If so, you're likely wondering if you have a valid wrongful death case due to what happened. Here are some questions you likely have about this type of malpractice. 

Can A Lack Of Insurance Play Into A Failed Diagnosis?

If your loved one did not have good insurance, it is possible that their insurance played into their failed diagnosis. If someone has good insurance, a doctor is more likely to run every type of test that they can because it is fully covered, and there is no extra costs for the patient to worry about. However, many people with bad or no insurance can find themselves in the opposite situation. The doctor may avoid ordering tests knowing that it will be a big expense for their patient, and this can result in the medical condition not being diagnosed.

A wrongful death attorney can help look at the medical records to see what was discussed in the patient summaries, find out if the necessary tests even came up in discussion, and figure out who declined to get them. After all, responsibility goes both ways with patients and doctors. While a doctor can recommend tests, it is ultimately up to the patient to have them done and pay for them. 

How Is A Bad Outcome Different From A Failed Diagnosis?

A doctor may recommend a course of treatment based on a diagnosis, and then it results in a bad outcome for the patient. The treatment either doesn't help, or there is a bad outcome that results from the treatment. However, this is not a form of medical malpractice. If the doctor is doing all that they can in order to diagnose a condition and recommend a treatment, and are taking the same steps that any other doctor would do, then a doctor wouldn't be held responsible for a failed diagnosis. In the eyes of the law, the doctor is taking steps to treat the problem and help the patient get better, but the correct diagnosis was not found in time.

Don't feel like you have to go through the process of battling a wrongful death lawsuit alone. Reach out to a lawyer in your area that specializes in wrongful death lawsuits. They will have the expertise to help navigate the evidence and help provide you with the judgement that you are seeking.

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