Why You Should Seek a Second Opinion Regardless of Your Diagnosis

According to the National Center for Policy Analysis, between 10 and 20 percent of patients who seek treatment for various symptoms are misdiagnosed. Misdiagnoses are so prevalent, in fact, that they are more common than medication mistakes and wrong-site/wrong-procedure/wrong-patient errors, despite the fact that these kinds of mistakes are much more publicized.

If patients were more familiar with diagnostic errors, though, they might be able to advocate for themselves better and avoid such mistakes entirely. Sadly, diagnostic errors can have devastating and even fatal consequences.

If you think you were the victim of a missed or delayed diagnosis and you have incurred damages as a result, turn to The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. David A. Bowling has more than 30 years of trial experience and will put it to work for you. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a case evaluation with a medical malpractice attorney in New Orleans.

Why You Should Seek a Second Opinion Regardless of Your Diagnosis

If Your Test Results Were Negative

If you are suffering from mysterious symptoms but a physician cannot find anything wrong, that does not necessarily mean you will feel relieved that you are healthy and simply continue on your way. After all, something is ultimately responsible for how you are feeling, even if it is not a disease or condition your provider has been able to identify.

At the end of the day, it is important to listen to your body when it comes to seeking a second opinion. If you undergo some kind of medical screening or test and the results come back negative but you are certain there is something wrong, do not listen to the conclusions of just one physician. Instead, seek a second opinion.

If Your Rest Results Were Positive

Although receiving any kind of diagnosis can be scary, it can also be reassuring because it means there is a reason for the way you have been feeling. Depending on the diagnosis in particular, it may also mean relief is just around the corner following one or more treatment modalities.

Of course, if any of those treatment modalities are especially invasive, it is worth seeking a second opinion. Because misdiagnoses are so common, there is a chance you received one, as well, which would mean there is actually no need to undergo such an invasive procedure.

Unless you are diagnosed with a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment, it is wise to seek a second opinion regardless if your test results come back positive or negative. A false negative diagnosis could prevent you from getting the care and treatment that you need, whereas a false positive diagnosis could force you to undergo invasive procedures for no reason at all.

If you were the victim of a misdiagnosis and you incurred damages as a result, turn to The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. David A. Bowling can review the details of your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim.

Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in New Orleans. If you want to learn more about malpractice claims in Louisiana, visit USAttorneys.com.