Blumers Lawyers are Experienced in Handling Complex Medical Misdiagnosis Claims in Perth
We practice in the ACT, WA, NSW, VIC, & Tasmania.
Sometimes a medical professional incorrectly diagnoses or fails to diagnose your condition. If this happens the consequences can be serious and life changing. If you have suffered because of a medical misdiagnosis you may be entitled to compensation.
Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers Perth are experts in medical misdiagnosis claims. Our team of lawyers and clerks work will support you through the legal process to get the right compensation to get your life back on track.
The law relating to medical negligence is complex and making a medical misdiagnosis claim requires detailed investigation and expert medical opinion.
Blumers can help you to work out if you have a claim and pursue it for you on a “no win no fee” basis. This means that you do not pay us anything unless you win your case.
What is Medical Misdiagnosis?
Medical misdiagnosis occurs when a medical professional fails to establish an accurate and timely explanation of the patient’s health problem or fails to communicate that explanation to the patient. Put simply, misdiagnosis is diagnosis that is delayed, wrong, or completely missed. A delayed diagnosis is a diagnosis which should have been made earlier and causes delays in treatment. A wrong diagnosis occurs when a patient’s symptoms are attributed to the wrong cause resulting in incorrect treatment. A missed diagnosis refers to a situation in which a patient’s medical complaints are never explained resulting in no treatment at all. Unfortunately, it is estimated that one in seven diagnoses in Australia could be wrong.
An estimated 140,000 cases of diagnostic error occur in Australia each year and if you feel this has happened to you it’s time to contact Blumers Perth.
Medical Misdiagnosis Examples
You may be unsure about whether you have experienced medical misdiagnosis. Some examples of medical misdiagnosis are:
- A patient is given a clear result after a mammogram but is subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer which should have been identified through the mammogram;
- A patient’s stomach pain is diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). After two years of treatment for IBS, tests reveal advanced bowel cancer;
- A patient’s chest pain is diagnosed as indigestion or anxiety resulting in the patient experiencing a heart attack;
- A doctor fails to recognise abdominal pain as appendicitis resulting in the patient experiencing a ruptured appendix;
- A doctor fails to recognise the early signs of stroke resulting in the patient experiencing a significant loss of function;
- A doctor orders tests for a patient. The test results indicate kidney problems, however, the doctor does not advise the patient until their next visit some months later. By this time the patient is diagnosed with kidney failure and requires dialysis.
These are just examples, your misdiagnosis could be completely different, contact Blumers Perth now to discuss your experience.
When Should You Get a Second Opinion For Medical Advise?
A second opinion is when you visit another doctor, medical specialist or healthcare professional to ask for their opinion. You should seek a second opinion if you are not confident about your doctor’s medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment plan. If you hear the words “could”, “I think” or ‘maybe” (ANU Reporter, 2023) then it could be time to seek a second opinion.
Ask your doctor for a referral and for them to provide any medical records or test results to the second doctor. This may save you from having to retake medical tests. It can also help make it easier for the second doctor to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know that I have a medical misdiagnosis claim?
If you feel that you may have been injured as a result of medical misdiagnosis, Blumers Perth can help to navigate the complex field of medical negligence law for you. Contact us to make an appointment to discuss.
It costs you nothing to make an enquiry. If you are not sure that medical misdiagnosis has occurred in your case but you feel that something about your treatment was not right, contact Blumers Perth now.
How much does it cost to make a medical misdiagnosis claim?
Blumers Perth will not ask for money up front to pay for expert reports and court fees. We operate on a no win, no fee basis, which means that you do not pay us for our fees or the amounts that we have spent on your behalf unless you win your case.
If my medical misdiagnosis claim is unsuccessful do I still have to pay you?
No. If your case is unsuccessful you do not have to pay.
How much compensation can I expect to receive for a medical misdiagnosis claim?
Blumers Perth will not be able to answer that question until we have a lot of information about the nature of your claim, the prospects of success, the seriousness of your injuries and the effect of your injuries on your life.
Will I have to go to Court?
Most claims resolve in conference or at mediation rather than going to Court. We start by notifying your claim and issue court proceedings in a timely manner to protect your interests. If the insurer is not prepared to pay what your claim is worth, we will proceed to Court.
Will other people know that I am making a medical negligence claim?
The fact that you are a client of Blumers Perth remains confidential, except for the purposes of dealing with your claim. If your case does go to a court hearing, then that information will be available to the public.
Get in Touch with Our Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyers Today
If you think that Blumers Perth can help you, request a free, no-obligation video conference, teleconference, or face to face meeting now. If you prefer, we can come to you. Call us, email us or book online to discuss your claim.