Missing a diagnosis or misdiagnosing a medical condition is a serious error and grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. In order for an incident to be considered malpractice, a mistake must be made that a physician with similar training would ordinarily not make. This can include missing important information through a telehealth visit. During these trying times, telehealth visits have become the norm in several medical practices. Ligori & Ligori, Attorneys at Law in Florida, believes you should be aware of the many risks involved in telehealth visits.
Why are There Risks for Misdiagnosis in Telehealth Visits?
Telehealth, also commonly known as telemedicine, has moved into widespread usage as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has become a method for physicians to stay connected with patients and provide a certain measure of medical help without the risks of an in-office visit. Many physician offices use telehealth as a screening venue for in-patient care. If you convince the doctor you have a serious enough medical issue, you may be scheduled for an in-office visit.
While this may protect patients and medical personnel from the spread of the coronavirus, the level of care provided to patients is far from superior. Nothing replaces an in-person doctor’s visit where you can communicate directly with your physician; moreover, seasoned doctors can often detect signs of some medical issues during your exam that are impossible to detect via videoconference.
Telehealth visits make it impossible to obtain even rudimentary health indicators like weight, temperature and blood pressure. The tools at the physician’s disposal for making a diagnosis are severely limited. In addition, doctors and specialists who are busy caring for in-office patients may rush through telehealth visits, not allowing sufficient time for a patient to adequately explain how they feel or their suspicions.
Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose and Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice cases can be very complicated, with numerous contributing factors. Medical clinics and practices are armed with lawyers to defend their actions and mistakes. If you were misdiagnosed through a telehealth visit and your health situation grew more serious, or your physician failed to diagnose a condition through telehealth, you may have sufficient cause to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Medical mistakes are costly, and not just in wasted medical treatments. Correcting a medical mistake can be much more costly than correctly assessing the patient and handling the issue in the first place. Some medical mistakes cannot be reversed or treated. Some lives are forever changed because a doctor was too busy or too preoccupied, or simply did not gain enough information for a correct diagnosis.
If you or a loved one feel you were ill-served and your health is worse, especially if you developed a serious condition, call Ligori & Ligori, Attorneys at Law, at 813-254-7119 or message us online to schedule a free confidential consultation with one of our seasoned attorneys. We have the knowledge, resources and experience necessary to help you pursue a medical malpractice claim. The compensation you could possibly obtain could be vital to cover medical expenses and lost wages for time you were unable to work. Don’t delay – call now.
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