This Is What to Do if You Have Been Misdiagnosed

A health issue can change everything about your life. It can affect your interactions with your friends and family, your ability to work, and your overall happiness. 

It’s only natural to seek medical guidance from a doctor when your health issues interfere with your life. However, what if the doctor misdiagnoses you? What if, as a result, your condition gets worse and your health deteriorates?

It can’t be easy being a doctor, however, if their misdiagnosis causes you harm, you deserve compensation for their error. Keep reading for a quick guide on what to do if you have been misdiagnosed. 

Talk to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Immediately

Contacting a lawyer is the first thing you need to do after getting misdiagnosed. Find a reputable medical malpractice lawyer in your area to get immediate legal guidance. You need to know how to build your case to prove misdiagnosed medical conditions. 

They can also help you understand potential outcomes and what you should do during the process. Most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee. They only get paid if you win your case, so you don’t need to worry about financing your lawsuit.

Get an Official Second Opinion

One of the most important steps on what to do if you have been misdiagnosed is to get a second opinion from a different medical specialist. If you have an official correct diagnosis, it will add leverage in your case against the doctor who misdiagnosed you. 

Schedule an appointment with a new doctor as soon as possible and talk to them about what’s going on. You don’t need to mention the lawsuit, but you should express your concern about being misdiagnosed. 

Document Everything and Collect Evidence

The next step on what to do if misdiagnosed is to build up your case with evidence. Preserve and make copies of your medical paperwork from your misdiagnosis. Ask to get any documents related to your misdiagnosis from the facility.

When you seek a second opinion, take note of everything during the appointment. Additionally, ask the new doctor for a copy of his or her notes as well. 

Furthermore, keep a journal tracking your condition. Document how you feel, take pictures of any physical signs of your condition, and more. 

Stay Off of Social Media

Next, let’s talk about what to do if you have been misdiagnosed in terms of your social life.

Misdiagnosed conditions can be incredibly frustrating. You may feel the need to express your frustration or seek validation on social media. However, you must resist the urge to talk about your case in any way on social media. 

Anything you say (or anyone else says) can be used against you. For example, if a friend says something as innocent as “hey you seem to be feeling much better,” it could undermine your case. 

Consider Your Options

Finally, think about your options in terms of funding. As noted earlier most medical malpractice attorneys charge a contingency fee, so you don’t have to worry about coming up with the money to hire a lawyer. 

However, you also need to think about future settlements. Talk to your attorney to get their advice on what to do. For example, should you settle early or push for more money?

Additionally, if you’re buried under hospital bills, can’t work, or are struggling financially in any other way, consider presettlement funding for a misdiagnosis lawsuit. This will give you the money you need now, rather than waiting months for a full settlement. 

Looking for More Advice on What to Do if You Have Been Misdiagnosed?

If you have been misdiagnosed and have suffered as a result, you have our deepest sympathies. We wish you all luck in the world in pursuing a settlement. Be sure to follow our tips on what to do if you have been misdiagnosed, but speak to an attorney as soon as possible. 

And for more advice about life, health, and legal issues, check out some of our other articles while you’re here. Our blog is full of valuable information for people from all walks of life.