Normal thyroid levels are a critical component of a person’s overall well-being. As such, conditions that cause hypothyroidism, like Hashimoto’s disease, can cause serious health concerns. If a patient presents with signs of thyroid dysfunction, their doctor should perform tests to determine the cause of their issues. It is not uncommon, though, for physicians to neglect to take a patient’s symptoms seriously, and patients with Hashimoto’s disease often do not receive a proper diagnosis until their illness has caused severe complications. The failure to diagnose Hashimoto’s disease is often the result of negligence, and people harmed by such carelessness can frequently recover compensation in medical malpractice lawsuits. If you suffered losses because of a doctor’s failure to provide you with a prompt diagnosis, the skillful Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group can assess the facts of your case and develop arguments designed to help you seek the maximum compensation available.
Losses Caused by the Failure to Diagnose Hashimoto’s DiseaseHashimoto’s disease is an auto-immune disorder in which a person’s body produces antibodies that attack the thyroid. Over time, the thyroid becomes inflamed and starts to work less effectively, causing decreased thyroid hormone levels, which is also known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism brought about by Hashimoto’s disease can cause memory issues, depression, muscle tenderness, stiffness, aches and weakness, fatigue, joint pain, and goiter. It can also lead to heart issues, infertility, and weight gain.
Hashimoto’s disease is usually diagnosed via a series of blood tests to evaluate a person’s thyroid hormone levels. Doctors should perform such tests if a patient presents with symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, especially if they have other risk factors, such as being middle-aged or having another auto-immune disorder. Women and people with a family history of thyroid disease have a greater risk of developing Hashimoto’s disease as well. The treatment for Hashimoto’s disease is usually medication.
Recovering Damages for the Failure to Diagnose Hashimoto’s DiseaseA doctor’s failure to diagnose Hashimoto’s disease can cause a patient to suffer debilitating symptoms and, in many instances, constitutes grounds for pursuing medical malpractice claims. A plaintiff seeking damages in a medical malpractice case usually must prove the defendant’s negligence. To do so, the plaintiff needs to show that the defendant owed them a duty and that the defendant breached the duty owed. In most instances, the duty imposed on a health care provider is to comply with the applicable standard of care, which is the care that a reasonable practitioner would offer under similar circumstances. To explain the standard of care and the manner in which the defendant breached the standard to the judge or jury deciding liability in the case, the plaintiff will usually need to hire a medical expert.
After establishing the duty owed and the defendant’s breach, the plaintiff needs to prove that the breach proximately caused them to suffer actual harm. In other words, that they would not have sustained losses but for the defendant’s failure to abide by the standard of care. Proving causation generally requires expert testimony as well. If the plaintiff presents a winning case, they may be granted compensation for the economic harm they sustained, like the cost of medical care, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages, and for their non-economic losses, such as the pain, suffering, and mental and emotional anguish caused by the defendant’s negligence.
Talk to an Experienced Baltimore AttorneyHashimoto’s disease is generally treatable, but patients cannot receive adequate care without a proper diagnosis. As such, a doctor’s failure to diagnose Hashimoto’s disease can result in significant harm and may be grounds for pursuing medical malpractice claims. If you sustained losses because of your physician’s carelessness, it is in your best interest to talk to an attorney about your options for seeking damages. The experienced Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are proficient at proving negligent doctors should be deemed liable for the harm they cause, and if we represent you, we will tirelessly pursue the best legal outcome possible under the facts of your case. We regularly handle medical malpractice claims in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us through our online form or by calling (410) 889-1850 to set up a confidential and free conference.