Albuquerque Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Albuquerque Medical Misdiagnosis Attorney

Patients in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico who seek medical help expect that their doctors and other healthcare professionals will determine what is causing their ailment. However, doctors can miss symptoms or misinterpret them, and the resulting error may result in extreme harm to the patient. This is when you should consider turning to an Albuquerque medical misdiagnosis lawyer.

A medical misdiagnosis in Albuquerque can cause significant injuries, from lifelong medical complications to wrongful death in the most extreme of cases. Our legal team is committed to supporting the victims of medical malpractice cases.

Hire a Medical Misdiagnosis Attorney

At the Branch Law Firm, our Albuquerque medical misdiagnosis lawyers will work to hold negligent doctors accountable for their actions. Get in touch with us today so we can begin examining your medical records and assessing your individual case.

Why Choose Our Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyer?

• Our highly experienced Albuquerque medical malpractice lawyers take pride in helping residents of New Mexico seek justice and obtain fair compensation for inadequate medical care.
• We understand and empathize with the emotional and financial sacrifices required of families under these circumstances, which is why we don’t require any money up front. Legal fees are only owed if you are successful.
• We will take the time to carefully and skillfully build your case, and we will not back down against large insurance companies.

What Is Medical Misdiagnosis?

Medical misdiagnosis is a common medical malpractice case that is attributed to neglectful behavior by a doctor when evaluating a patient’s health. When a health care provider or medical provider comes to the incorrect conclusion about a patient’s ailment, these mistakes can result in:

• Improper treatment
• Progression of a preexisting illness or disease
• Surgical errors
• Failure to perform appropriate tests
• Medication errors
• Incorrect medical treatment
• Death

These circumstances can have devastating effects on the victim’s life, particularly those with a missed cancer diagnosis or another serious injury that requires prompt attention.

Penalties Doctors May Face for Misdiagnosis

In 2023, an estimated four million Americans experienced death or illness due to an error or delay in diagnosis. As a victim, you can pursue compensation to hold a doctor liable for their negligence, but the penalties that they may face don’t end there.

Beyond a medical malpractice case, doctors can also face disciplinary action from the New Mexico Medical Board. They could be investigated, fined for their actions, and required to attend mandatory training. What’s more, they could have their license suspended or revoked in severe cases or if they have a history of similar issues.

Additionally, there could be internal penalties at the facility they work for. They could be fired, lose privileges, or be subjected to supervision by other doctors. A history of misdiagnosis and malpractice can follow a doctor throughout their professional career, impacting their reputation and opportunities.

Why You Need an Albuquerque Medical Misdiagnosis Attorney

Medical misdiagnosis cases, along with most medical malpractice claims, are extremely difficult for patients to be successful. The insurance companies that defend doctors, hospitals, or other healthcare providers are willing to spend an unlimited amount of money on hiring teams of defense lawyers and professional witnesses to defeat a medical malpractice case. Two of the largest hurdles for patients to overcome are:

• Proving that a healthcare provider’s conduct amounted to medical negligence, since they often only have the doctor’s notes as evidence
• Convincing a jury that the doctor was incorrect in their actions, or lack thereof.

Hiring a medical malpractice lawyer experienced in litigating medical misdiagnosis cases is critical to even the playing field. These types of personal injury attorneys have the resources to hire their own qualified medical professionals to testify in support of your case, if necessary. Our legal team helps the jury know how the doctor deviates from the appropriate standard of care and what should have been done in your situation to provide appropriate medical treatment.

What Types of Compensation Can I Receive in a Medical Misdiagnosis Claim?

Medical misdiagnosis victims in Albuquerque are entitled to the following types of compensation with a successful malpractice claim:

• Medical expenses
• Costs for transportation to and from doctor appointments or an emergency room
• Equipment or prescription medication expenses
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Life expectancy reduction
• Funeral and burial costs in cases of wrongful death

How much you will receive depends on the circumstances specific to your medical malpractice claim. An insurer or jury will typically consider how the misdiagnosis has impacted your quality of life, changes to life expectancy, the pain and suffering you have endured, the length of recovery time added to your existing recovery, and the nature or severity of the illness you are or were experiencing.

FAQs

Can Doctors Get in Trouble for a Misdiagnosis?

Doctors can get in trouble for a misdiagnosis if it results from negligence rather than reasonable medical judgment. Just because a diagnosis was incorrect does not mean the doctor engaged in any type of negligence. Apart from medical malpractice claims, doctors can face disciplinary action from medical boards, and they can even lose their licenses. Patients must show that the misdiagnosis caused harm and that the doctor did not meet the standard of care.

What Are the Four Things that Must Be Proven to Be Successful in a Medical Malpractice Suit?

The four things that must be proven to be successful in a medical malpractice claim are duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. The most difficult of these elements to establish is often causation, as your doctor’s legal team may argue your injury or ailment is the result of an underlying condition. Your Albuquerque medical misdiagnosis attorney can collect evidence to prove negligence and pursue damages on your behalf.

Do You Need an Attorney for a Medical Malpractice Case?

While there is no legal requirement to hire an attorney for a medical misdiagnosis case, it’s a smart move to consult one. These cases can be incredibly complex, and you can easily make critical mistakes if you don’t know the state’s medical misdiagnosis laws, complicated terminology, or the appropriate standard of care. Judges and opposing legal teams won’t give you a break just because you don’t know the law, making an attorney an invaluable asset to your case.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Misdiagnosis?

The amount of compensation you could receive in your medical malpractice case is dependent on the unique circumstances of your claim. The severity of your injuries, the provable negligence of the healthcare professional, and the experience of your attorney and their ability to advocate on your behalf will factor into the outcome of your case. Reviewing the experience of your attorney and reviewing the details of your case allows your attorney to provide an estimate of the damages you can seek.

Albuquerque Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyer

For more than 50 years, our legal team has protected the interests of injury victims. If you or a loved one’s life has been impacted by a medical misdiagnosis in Albuquerque, contact our team today to hire a medical misdiagnosis lawyer. With our client-first approach, you can confidently navigate the legal road ahead knowing our support is tailored to your needs. Let our team’s knowledge and experience help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.