We trust our medical providers to diagnose conditions and provide treatment plans that allow us to recover from an illness or injury. A delayed diagnosis can cause your condition to worsen, resulting in unnecessary medical treatments and costs. In the worst cases, a delayed diagnosis can result in wrongful death.
Our medical malpractice attorneys at Hunt Law Firm fight for the rights of injured parties and their families throughout New Mexico. We have a proven track record of success as seasoned trial lawyers and skilled negotiators. Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
Call Hunt Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with our Santa Fe personal injury attorneys.
How Hunt Law Firm Can Help You With a Malpractice Claim for Delayed Diagnosis in New Mexico
Our lawyers at Hunt Law Firm have decades of combined experience in personal injury law. We have extensive experience representing clients in cases involving medical errors and medical negligence. Medical malpractice cases are complex claims requiring a knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled personal injury attorney.
When you hire our top-rated Santa Fe personal injury lawyers, you can trust that we will:
- Explain medical malpractice claims and how the laws apply in your case
- Investigate the circumstances that led to the delayed diagnosis
- Work with the best medical specialists and expert witnesses to strengthen your case
- Document your damages to assess how much your claim is worth
- File medical malpractice claims with insurance providers and handle all matters related to insurance settlements
- Litigate the case in court if a settlement is not possible
Our attorneys received the award for Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Santa Fe from Expertise.com in 2022. We have top ratings from Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. Our attorneys are also members of prestigious local and national legal organizations.
Call Hunt Law Firm to schedule your free case evaluation with an experienced Santa Fe personal injury attorney.
Common Reasons for Delayed Diagnosis Claims in Santa Fe, NM
Delayed diagnosis accounts for about 17% of preventable medical errors in hospitals, according to one study. A delayed diagnosis results when a doctor takes longer to make a diagnosis than it should have taken. When a diagnosis should have been made varies depending on the circumstances and the standard of care, given the factors of the case.
Common reasons for a delayed diagnosis include, but are not limited to:
- A doctor does not take a patient’s complaints of symptoms seriously
- The doctor fails to timely refer a patient to a specialist
- A doctor discovers abnormalities in routine tests and fails to perform additional tests to determine the cause
- A doctor fails to order the appropriate diagnostic tests based on a patient’s symptoms or condition
- A technician makes a mistake while performing a diagnostic test
- The medical facility or hospital mishandles a patient’s test results
- A doctor diagnoses one condition but fails to diagnose a secondary condition because they stop searching for an illness
- A physician misinterprets the results of a diagnostic test
Medical negligence is usually the cause of a delayed diagnosis claim. However, the patient could contribute to the reason for a delayed diagnosis. For example, the patient may fail to report all symptoms to a doctor or fail to follow up on the doctor’s instructions to receive additional testing.
The doctor and insurance company may try to blame the patient. Our attorneys aggressively fight against attempts to blame the victim to avoid liability for medical errors.
Who Is Liable for Damages Caused by a Delayed Diagnosis?
The doctor who failed to make the diagnosis is liable for damages caused by their negligence. However, other parties could share the liability for a delayed diagnosis malpractice claim, including:
- Labs and diagnostic facilities
- Nurses and staff members
- Technicians and radiologists
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals and medical facilities
A thorough investigation can help identify all parties who may share responsibility for the patient’s damages.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Medical Malpractice Claim for a Delayed Diagnosis?
A delayed diagnosis can result in numerous injuries and losses. A patient can seek compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate you for your monetary losses and expenses, including:
- The past and future cost of medical treatment and care, including rehabilitative therapies
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including personal care and household services
- The loss of wages, earning potential, and employment benefits
Non-economic damages represent the pain and suffering you experience because a doctor failed to diagnose your condition. These damages include:
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
The amount you receive for a delayed diagnosis claim depends on the severity of your injuries and losses. Catastrophic injuries can increase the value of damages in a medical malpractice claim. Our legal team carefully analyzes your injuries and losses to determine how much your damages are worth.
What Types of Injuries Are Caused by a Delayed Diagnosis?
A delayed diagnosis can result in significant damage to a patient. Injuries and harm caused by a delayed diagnosis can include:
- Cancer is spreading to other parts of the body
- Traumatic brain injury
- Reduced treatment options
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Severe damage to internal organs
- Loss of bodily functions
- Wrongful death
Always follow up with physicians if symptoms get worse or change. Contact an attorney for advice if you believe a doctor caused you to suffer harm.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing Malpractice Claims for Delayed Diagnosis in New Mexico?
A statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. The New Mexico statute of limitations for most medical malpractice claims is three years after the instance of malpractice. Therefore, it is crucial that you act quickly to seek legal advice. Waiting to talk with a lawyer could result in losing your right to pursue a claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Santa Fe Personal Injury Attorneys
Our Santa Fe medical malpractice lawyers at Hunt Law Firm help victims seek compensation when a doctor’s mistake causes them harm. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your legal options.