How Our Indianapolis Misdiagnosis Lawyers Can Help You: It’s About Justice and Restitution

After a misdiagnosis, you have to face not only health challenges but also the complex process of seeking justice and compensation. In this situation, the lawyers at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell can be your advocates, working to ensure your case is handled efficiently and effectively. 

Concretely, we can help you by:

  • Conducting a thorough investigation into your medical history and the circumstances surrounding the misdiagnosis to clarify the facts and prove liability.
  • Gathering and analyzing medical records to establish the standard of care and how it was breached.
  • Consulting with medical experts to provide testimony on the correct diagnosis and standard of care.
  • Calculating the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
  • Negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel to reach a fair settlement.
  • Representing you in court, if necessary, to fight for your rights and defend your best interests.

In the pursuit of justice for a misdiagnosis, the support of our team of experienced personal injury lawyers in Indianapolis can make all the difference. By handling all aspects of your case, we can alleviate the burden of the legal process and allow you to focus on recovery.

Our Extensive Experience Serving Victims of Misdiagnosis in Indiana

Since our foundation in 1993, we’ve secured multi-million dollar settlements for many personal injury victims all through Indiana. Specifically in medical malpractice cases, we’ve demonstrated time and again our ability to achieve significant results for those affected by medical negligence. Here are just a few settlement examples:

  • $1,300,000 – Improper diagnosis resulting in delayed treatment.
  • $1,200,000 – Failure to diagnose and treat hypertension resulting in a devastating stroke.
  • $1,250,000 – Failure to diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) resulting in death.
  • $1,197,500 – Improper diagnosis and surgical care resulting in facial disfigurement.
  • $3,080,000 – Failure to diagnose a tumor found on an MRI scan.

We invite you to discuss the potential value of your case with us, offering a glimpse into what you might expect in terms of compensation. Based on our experience and previous case results, we can give you an estimate based on real case amounts.

What is Considered Medical Misdiagnosis?

Medical misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare professional inaccurately identifies a patient’s condition, leading to incorrect treatment, delayed treatment, or no treatment at all.

This can include many types of errors, for example, failing to recognize the signs of a heart attack, or mistaking cancer for a less severe condition. Medical negligence is very serious, as it can easily result in catastrophic injury or even wrongful death in the worst circumstances.

When doctors fail to accurately identify your condition, you most likely have a medical malpractice case. In these cases, you can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the misdiagnosis by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.

What Can I Do If I Was Misdiagnosed?

According to a study by the National Academy of Medicine, an estimated 371,000 people die annually from misdiagnosis-related issues, with another 424,000 suffering permanent disability. This makes a total of almost 800,000 people suffering serious harm due to medical negligence. Therefore, following a misdiagnosis, it’s crucial to take immediate steps to protect both your health and legal rights. 

We recommend to consider the following actions:

  1. Seek a second medical opinion to diagnose and treat your condition accurately.
  2. Document all interactions with healthcare providers, including dates, names, and details of conversations.
  3. Collect all medical records and evidence related to your treatment.
  4. Contact the personal injury lawyers at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell to evaluate your case and guide you through the next steps of the legal process.

We are here to evaluate your case and provide honest and compassionate advice in order to protect your health and right to fair compensation.

Types of Misdiagnosis Cases We Handle

According to Forbes, misdiagnosis is one of the most common types of malpractice in the United States. In fact, one in three care providers is sued for medical malpractice during their care, and surgeons are the care providers most likely to be sued for malpractice.

There are several types of misdiagnosis cases, all of which vary in severity and complexity. Our attorneys have handled a wide array of them, including, but not limited to:

  • Cancer misdiagnosis
  • Failure to diagnose serious conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders
  • Heart attack and stroke misdiagnosis
  • Misdiagnosis of infectious diseases
  • Brain injury misdiagnosis
  • Organ failure misdiagnosis

Furthermore, misdiagnosis can result in surgical errors (when proceeding with unnecessary surgeries) or prescription drug negligence (when prescribing unnecessary drugs), further compounding the risks.

Common Causes of Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis often arises from a complex set of factors that compromise the quality of patient care. But one of the most common errors is the failure to order the necessary diagnostic tests, which can lead to an incomplete understanding of the patient’s condition. However, even when they conduct the necessary tests, misinterpretation of the results can mislead healthcare providers. Additionally, neglecting to consider a patient’s full medical history and presenting symptoms can further contribute to diagnostic errors.

On the other hand, individual factors such as insufficient training, reliance on outdated diagnostic methods, and the physical and mental strain experienced by healthcare workers (including fatigue and stress) significantly increase the risk of misdiagnosis.

Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Misdiagnosis in Indianapolis

Victims of misdiagnosis in Indiana have the right to seek compensation for the harm caused by medical negligence. This includes the right to recover compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other losses.

Additionally, the statute of limitations for filing a claim in Indiana is typically two years from the date of the alleged act. However, some provisions extend this period under certain circumstances (for example, if the misdiagnosis is discovered after two years from the date it occurred).

FAQs About Misdiagnosis in Indianapolis

How Do You Prove Misdiagnosis?

Proving misdiagnosis involves demonstrating that a healthcare provider failed to adhere to the standard of care, leading to harm, which often requires expert medical testimony.

Can You Sue a Lab for Misdiagnosis?

Yes, if a lab’s error contributed to the misdiagnosis, it’s possible to hold them accountable through legal action.

How Much Compensation for Misdiagnosis?

Compensation varies widely based on the specifics of the case. This includes both the severity of the harm and the impact on the victim’s life, among other factors. Discussing your case with our experienced attorneys will provide a clearer picture of potential compensation.

Trust in Our 40+ Years of Experience Serving Injured People: Get a Free Consultation with a Seasoned Indianapolis Attorney

With over four decades of experience, Christie Farrell Lee & Bell has been a trusted ally for those injured due to misdiagnosis in Indianapolis. Our deep legal and medical knowledge, combined with a structured and strategic approach, makes us uniquely qualified to handle your case and fight for the maximum compensation possible under Indiana’s law.

If you or a loved one is currently facing a misdiagnosis, don’t navigate this process alone. Contact us today for a free consultation, and our team of lawyers will listen to your story and then craft a legal strategy accordingly.