Medical Malpractice for Failure to Diagnose Coronavirus

Medical malpractice takes many different forms and causes thousands of deaths and injuries each year. Prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic, medical malpractice caused an average of 700 preventable deaths in America every single day—and now that hospitals are becoming overwhelmed, that number is likely even higher. One common type of medical malpractice is misdiagnosis, which occurs when a doctor incorrectly interprets their patient’s symptoms. Misdiagnoses or failure to diagnose are dangerous because the patient’s actual disease remains untreated and consequently worsens. And in cases involving the novel coronavirus, misdiagnosis may have fatal or disastrous results. If you or your loved one contracted COVID-19 in Texas and were not properly diagnosed by a physician, you may have grounds for a claim of medical malpractice for failure to diagnose coronavirus. Read on to learn more, and find out if you may have grounds for a Texas coronavirus lawsuit.

When is Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose Grounds for a Malpractice Claim?

Misdiagnosis can take many forms. Misdiagnosis claims may involve an incorrect diagnosis, missed diagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or failure to spot complications. But when do any of these types of misdiagnosis constitute medical malpractice?

According to our Texas hospital negligence lawyers, in order to have a successful malpractice claim, your lawyer must be able to prove that the doctor in question failed to follow reasonably accepted standards. Your lawyer must demonstrate that another reasonable doctor in the same situation would have acted differently—that is, they must prove that your doctor deviated from the standard of care and consequently caused you concrete harm through their actions (or through their inaction).

The Dangers of Misdiagnosing—or Failing to Diagnose—COVID-19

Failing to diagnose coronavirus is extremely dangerous for many reasons. Misdiagnosing a coronavirus patient may result in:

• Worsening of the patient’s symptoms that would not have occurred in the event of a timely diagnosis
• The patient failing to quarantine / isolate themselves from family members or coworkers because they were unaware of their illness
• The patient sustaining permanent injury or disability due to COVID-19 complications
• The patient’s death

Although even skilled doctors can misdiagnose illnesses, misdiagnosis is considered negligence if a doctor failed to take the right steps that a competent doctor would have taken. If they neglected to test for coronavirus after you or a loved one arrived with symptoms or otherwise failed to follow accepted standards, you may have grounds for a successful lawsuit.

Do You Suspect Medical Malpractice for Failure to Diagnose Coronavirus? Find Out How Our Attorneys Can Help

If you or your loved one was misdiagnosed while suffering from COVID-19, you may have grounds for a Texas coronavirus lawsuit. A medical malpractice claim can help you and your family recover damages to help cover your medical expenses, and compensate you for your pain and suffering.

Here at Carabin Shaw, we believe that negligent doctors should be held accountable for their irresponsible actions—especially when misdiagnoses result in preventable tragedies. Our lawyers have more than 200 years of combined legal experience and are experts in handling medical malpractice cases. We can help you determine whether or not malpractice occurred, and can advise you of your full range of legal options. And because your first consultation with an attorney is free, you have nothing to lose by giving us a call.

At Carabin Shaw, we are committed to helping the families of coronavirus victims however we can. So call our Texas office today at 210-222-2288 to receive your free consultation with a lawyer, and to find out how our qualified Texas hospital negligence lawyers can help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

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