Diagnosing medical conditions is complex, patient-centered, and relies on collaboration with the patient to gather information critical to the process. It often takes time to reach an accurate diagnosis. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants must consider numerous factors when diagnosing a patient, including family history, lifestyle, symptoms, and test results.
When a diagnosis is wrong, the negative impact can be devastating for the patient. However, not all misdiagnoses are the result of medical malpractice. The failure to diagnose attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, have been representing injured clients in Litchfield for over 100 combined years. A Litchfield misdiagnosis medical malpractice lawyer can determine if your misdiagnosis was due to medical malpractice and, if so, build a strategic case to help you recover compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Misdiagnosis is among the most common medical errors and can lead to a myriad of negative consequences, from worsening symptoms to decreased treatment options. Building a case for medical misdiagnosis malpractice in Litchfield is challenging. Your attorney will need to show that your doctor did not provide an adequate level of care that would be expected from a similar medical professional. To establish this, Connecticut requires that anyone intending to file a medical malpractice claim obtain an opinion letter from a medical expert. The purpose of this opinion is to show that the malpractice claim is filed in good faith. The written opinion can be obtained from a healthcare provider that meets the state’s legal requirements.
It’s important to take action quickly because there is a two-year statute of limitations in most medical malpractice cases. Injured patients have two years from the date of the misdiagnosis to file a lawsuit. In some cases, the deadline may be extended to three years if the patient was unaware they were misdiagnosed. In cases involving wrongful death, you may be able to go back as many as five years from the date of the misdiagnosis. Your medical malpractice attorney will be able to determine what your timeframes are and help so you don’t lose your chance to seek compensation.
You may be able to request a 90-day extension of the statute of limitations by filing a petition, but this is a small window of opportunity considering the in-depth elements of a medical malpractice claim. Contact D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, to discuss your case and let us help to meet the necessary deadlines.
To be successful in any medical malpractice claim in Connecticut, you must be able to establish what the appropriate standard of care is, that your physician deviated from that standard, and that the deviation caused your injury or harm. Expert witness testimony is an important part of establishing the standard and the causal connection. The following evidence is also helpful to show the extent of your injuries and prove the value of your Litchfield misdiagnosis medical malpractice claim:
Economic and non-economic damages are available to people who have been harmed by a misdiagnosis, and these include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The specific damages you’ll be able to claim will depend on the severity of your condition and how the misdiagnosis impacted you.
A Litchfield misdiagnosis medical malpractice lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can determine the value of your claim and help you fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
