Decatur Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Best Decatur Misdiagnosis Attorney

A misdiagnosis can bring devastating consequences to patients and their families. When you’ve put your trust in a healthcare professional, only to be subjected to negligent or irresponsible care, you may be a victim of medical malpractice. A Decatur misdiagnosis lawyer can assess the details of your case and pursue compensation if you or a loved one has suffered the consequences of a misdiagnosis.

At The Tolson Firm, LLC, we can advocate for you in most areas of medical malpractice. Ms. Audrey Tolson, Esq., brings decades of legal experience to the table. As a proud Black attorney serving the Decatur and Atlanta metro, she and her team are dedicated, knowledgeable, and highly skilled in malpractice litigation.

Types of Misdiagnosis Errors

Several kinds of misdiagnosis errors may occur in the medical field, including:

• Diagnosing a patient with a disease or an ailment they do not have, leading to expensive, unnecessary treatment that can harm them.
• Delaying a diagnosis through deflection or denial of a patient’s symptoms
• Misdiagnosing a mental illness, leading to worsening mental health conditions or even suicide
• Refusing to alter the course of treatment when indications of misdiagnosis occur

An estimated 1 in 20 Americans receive a medical misdiagnosis while visiting an outpatient care facility, making it a significant catalyst for medical malpractice cases. A misdiagnosis can lead to hospitalization, serious injury, and death. If any harm has come to you or a loved one because of a misdiagnosis, it’s important to hold negligent healthcare providers responsible.

Georgia laws provide legal recourse to those suffering the effects of medical malpractice. When you hire a misdiagnosis lawyer to advocate on your behalf, you increase your chances of a fair settlement that adequately addresses the medical costs you may accumulate as a result of a misdiagnosis.

What Causes a Misdiagnosis?

There are a few factors that may cause misdiagnosis errors, including:

• Physician fatigue. Long hours at hospitals and trauma wards can impact a doctor’s level of care and attention.
• Inexperience. Newer physicians and those still in training, such as doctors at university hospitals, may lack the skills and knowledge to correctly identify certain conditions.
• Malfunctioning medical equipment and laboratory errors. If an MRI malfunctions or x-rays or lab results are evaluated improperly, a misdiagnosis may occur.
• Lack of information. If a patient withholds information and does not clearly convey their symptoms, or a doctor is not diligent in investigating a patient’s symptoms, a misdiagnosis can occur. Many illnesses present with similar symptoms or overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis challenging without sufficient information.

You Deserve Compensation for Your Medical Misdiagnosis

When you are seeking justice for a misdiagnosis error, it’s crucial to know your rights and consult with an experienced lawyer who can approach your case with compassion and an eye for detail. Proving liability in medical malpractice cases requires a confident, focused legal strategy that incorporates extensive investigation, expert witnesses, and comprehensive documentation.

If you are awarded damages in a misdiagnosis error case, you can expect to receive compensation for: 

• Medical expenses, including travel expenses for ongoing treatments necessitated by the misdiagnosis
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Mental anguish and other non-economic damages

Compensation for medical malpractice cases varies according to the degree of harm and the amount of economic hardship the client endures. Settlement amounts can be significant in Georgia, as the state does not cap award amounts for economic and non-economic damages. There is a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims, so it is essential to speak with a misdiagnosis error attorney promptly.

If you have been misdiagnosed at any of our local area clinics or hospitals, such as Emory University Hospital, The Atlanta Cancer Center, or DeKalb Women’s Specialists, we are here for you. Proving negligence in medical malpractice cases can be challenging, but the team at The Tolson Firm has a robust history of successful outcomes for our clients. You can feel confident that your case will receive the utmost attention and care.

FAQs

Is a Medical Misdiagnosis a Crime?

Georgia law does not classify medical misdiagnosis as a crime. However, the law protects Georgia citizens from the actions of irresponsible medical practitioners through the civil courts. In some cases, punitive damages can be awarded if the practitioner is shown to have displayed gross negligence. While Georgia ranks as one of the states with the lowest number of malpractice cases, medical malpractice cases, including misdiagnosis, are still incredibly common.

How Much Does a Misdiagnosis Lawyer Cost?

The cost of a misdiagnosis lawyer often depends on the outcome of your case. At The Tolson Firm, we do not collect compensation unless you do. During your consultation, we can evaluate the details of your case to determine whether it qualifies for a misdiagnosis claim. If the case qualifies, and we believe there is enough evidence available to prove liability, we may offer representation.

How Do You Prove a Misdiagnosis?

The following three elements of negligence must be established to prove a misdiagnosis claim:

• A doctor–patient relationship existed.
• The doctor did not provide care in a proficient manner.
• The doctor’s negligence caused you injury or harm.

The burden of proof in misdiagnosis cases rests on the plaintiff. It’s vital to retain qualified representation to increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Misdiagnosis Claim?

Settlement amounts for a misdiagnosis claim vary according to the severity of the harm sustained and the financial consequences of the misdiagnosis in Decatur, Georgia. When you consult with The Tolson Firm, we can provide you with information about similar cases and outcomes to help you make an informed decision about your next steps.

Have You Been Misdiagnosed? Hire a Misdiagnosis Error Lawyer in Decatur, GA

With over 30 years of experience in personal injury law and medical malpractice, attorney Audrey Tolson, Esq., and her team rank as one of the top firms in the Atlanta area for medical malpractice. After working closely with famed attorney Johnnie Cochran, Ms. Tolson opened her own firm to serve residents of DeKalb County. Our firm understands the frustrations and anguish a medical misdiagnosis can cause. We’re here to listen and support you as you seek justice.

Contact The Tolson Firm, LLC, today to schedule your initial consultation.