Failure To Diagnose Adenomyosis

Many women suffer from debilitating pelvic pain and painful periods, and in some cases, such issues are caused by adenomyosis. There are treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms of adenomyosis, but a prompt diagnosis is essential to a patient’s prognosis. As such, the failure to diagnose adenomyosis can cause a patient to suffer harm and may be grounds for pursuing medical malpractice claims. If you sustained injuries because a doctor negligently failed to diagnose you with adenomyosis, it is advisable to speak to an attorney about what damages you may be able to pursue. The skillful Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are proficient at demonstrating that careless doctors should be held accountable for the harm they cause, and if we represent you, we will diligently pursue any damages you may be owed.

Adenomyosis is a condition characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue into the muscular walls of the uterus. To diagnose adenomyosis, a doctor will typically perform a physical examination and conduct imaging studies. The physical exam may involve a pelvic exam to detect any abnormalities in the uterus. Transvaginal ultrasound is commonly used to visualize the uterus, while MRIs provide more detailed images to confirm the presence and extent of adenomyosis. In some cases, a biopsy may be conducted, involving the collection of a small tissue sample for microscopic examination.

When adenomyosis goes undiagnosed, it can give rise to various complications, including chronic pelvic pain, which can become persistent and significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding is another symptom of adenomyosis, which can lead to anemia and fatigue if not properly managed. Adenomyosis has also been linked to infertility and an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, preterm labor, and placental abnormalities. Additionally, the symptoms of adenomyosis can affect daily activities, causing physical discomfort, emotional distress, and reduced productivity.

If a physician's failure to diagnose adenomyosis results in harm to a patient, the patient can pursue damages through a medical malpractice lawsuit. In Maryland, for a plaintiff to hold a physician accountable for medical malpractice, they generally need to prove that the physician had a duty to adhere to the relevant standard of care, but their actions or inaction deviated from that standard.

The standard of care in a medical malpractice case is determined by the level of care that a competent practitioner in the same field would provide when faced with a similar situation. For instance, if a proficient doctor examining a patient with symptoms of adenomyosis would have recommended diagnostic testing, the failure to do so may be considered a breach of the standard of care. Since most individuals are not familiar with the specific standard of care for physicians, expert testimony is often necessary to establish the standard and demonstrate how the defendant deviated from it.

In a medical malpractice lawsuit, the plaintiff must not only prove that the defendant breached the applicable standard of care but also that this breach directly caused their harm. This means they must show that their harm would not have occurred if the breach had not taken place. Proving causation typically requires expert testimony as well. A plaintiff who successfully demonstrates that a defendant should be held liable for the failure to diagnose adenomyosis may be awarded damages such as the cost of past and future medical treatments, lost wages, and compensation for pain, mental anguish, and suffering caused by the defendant's negligence.

Adenomyosis can cause painful symptoms and, if left untreated, can diminish a woman’s chances of conceiving a child. It is critical, therefore, that doctors diagnose adenomyosis promptly, and if they neglect to do so, it may constitute medical malpractice. If you were hurt by a physician’s failure to diagnose adenomyosis, it is smart to confer with an attorney about your options for seeking damages. The experienced Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group can assess the facts of your case and offer you advice regarding your potential claims and damages. We regularly aid people in the pursuit of compensation in medical malpractice lawsuits in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us via our online form by calling us at (410) 889-1850 or to set up a confidential consultation.