Rhode Island Diagnostic Error Lawyers

Failure to Diagnose, Delayed Diagnosis & Other Diagnostic Errors in RI

Before any medical condition can be properly treated it must be diagnosed. The doctor or other healthcare professional whose services are sought must consider the patient’s symptoms and medical history, perform tests as necessary, and use this information to determine what the condition is and what course of treatment will be best for the patient.

An accurate diagnosis is the only way treatment will be successful. And in some cases, a timely diagnosis may be a patient’s only chance at survival. Unfortunately, doctors sometimes fail to diagnose an illness when symptoms are present, and may even misdiagnose the symptoms as another condition entirely.

Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C. has handled medical malpractice lawsuits involving diagnostic errors for over 40 years. Through this time, our lawyers have set records for the verdicts and settlements we have secured on behalf of our clients, and we have seen the impact our cases can have on the medical industry as a whole.

Our Rhode Island diagnostic errors lawyers recognize the importance of exposing diagnostic errors and all types of negligence in the healthcare field – to improve the lives of those who have already been injured, and to improve conditions for others in the future.

If you or a loved one has suffered because of a diagnostic error, you may be able to pursue legal recourse for your injuries. Call (401) 200-4059 to speak with our firm about your case.

Failure to Diagnose & Delayed Diagnosis

Failure to diagnose is a medical error that happens when a doctor does not recognize a patient's symptoms as an illness or worsening condition, doesn't run the appropriate tests, or otherwise delays diagnosing a patient when another doctor would have reasonably done so.

Because a patient's illness is not diagnosed quickly, they may lose precious months or years of treatment that could mean the difference between life or death. This is especially true for cancer patients.

Failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis can happen for any number of reasons, such as:

• The doctor does not recommend tests that would be appropriate given the patient's age, lifestyle, or symptoms.
• The doctor does not listen to or give weight to a patient's symptoms.
• The doctor, nurse, or assistant did not correctly perform a diagnostic test.
• The doctor or lab technician misread a test result.

Misdiagnosis of a Patient

Misdiagnosis is another type of diagnostic error that occurs when a doctor diagnoses a patient with the wrong illness or condition. Not only does a patient not receive the treatment they need for their actual condition, but they may have to endure incorrect treatments that can be painful or make their health worse.

Some of the most common illnesses that are misdiagnosed are heart attack, stroke, and brain aneurysms because they often exhibit the same symptoms as other conditions. This is especially common in hospitals and emergency rooms with understaffing issues.

FAQs About Diagnostic Errors in RI

How common are diagnostic errors in Rhode Island?

While exact statewide data for Rhode Island is limited, national studies suggest that diagnostic errors affect approximately 12 million Americans each year. Given Rhode Island’s healthcare landscape, these statistics likely reflect local trends as well. Hospitals, urgent care centers, and primary care practices across the state are all susceptible to these types of errors, particularly in busy or understaffed settings. Efforts are ongoing in Rhode Island to improve diagnostic safety through training, technology, and patient advocacy.

Can patients take legal action for a diagnostic error in Rhode Island?

Yes, patients in Rhode Island who suffer harm due to a diagnostic error may have legal recourse through a medical malpractice claim. To succeed in such a case, the patient must prove that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that this failure directly caused harm. Rhode Island law requires expert testimony in most malpractice cases, and there are specific statutes of limitation that govern when a claim can be filed—typically three years from the date of the injury or when the injury was discovered.

What makes a diagnostic error legally actionable in Rhode Island?

Not every diagnostic error qualifies as medical malpractice. For a claim to be legally actionable in Rhode Island, the patient must prove that the healthcare provider’s mistake fell below the accepted standard of care and directly caused harm. This means there must be a clear link between the diagnostic failure and a negative outcome, such as delayed treatment, additional medical complications, or death. An unfavorable outcome alone does not guarantee the right to sue—there must be evidence of negligence.

How do I know if I have a valid claim for a diagnostic error?

Determining whether you have a valid claim often requires a legal and medical review. In Rhode Island, an experienced medical malpractice attorney will usually consult with independent medical experts to assess whether your case meets the criteria for a claim. They’ll examine your medical records, timeline of care, test results, and how the delay or misdiagnosis impacted your health. If the expert concludes that another competent doctor would likely have made the correct diagnosis under similar circumstances, you may have a valid case.

What’s the process for filing a claim related to a diagnostic error?

Filing a claim typically starts with a consultation with a medical malpractice attorney. After reviewing your records and consulting with experts, your attorney will file a formal complaint if the case appears viable. The next steps include discovery (where both sides exchange evidence), expert depositions, settlement negotiations, and potentially a trial. In Rhode Island, these cases are often complex and may take months or even years to resolve, especially if significant damages are involved.

Contact an Experienced RHode Island Diagnostic Error Attorney Today

Doctors are human, yes; they can make mistakes. However, nurses, physicians, surgeons, and all other healthcare provides receive extensive training and are guided by strict regulations to ensure patients receive proper treatment. There is no excuse for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.

With help from our firm, you can pursue the justice you or your loved one deserves in addition to the compensation you need to pay medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.

Call (401) 200-4059 today for your free, confidential consultation. Find out how a Rhode Island failure to diagnose attorney can protect your interests.