Failure To Diagnose Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a relatively common condition that often impacts older individuals and people with diabetes and auto-immune disorders. While neuropathy is not fatal, it can cause painful and debilitating symptoms that worsen over time. A timely diagnosis and intervention can help manage the condition effectively and prevent further progression of nerve damage, though. As such, the failure to diagnose neuropathy can cause a patient to suffer preventable harm. If you sustained damages due to your doctor’s failure to diagnose neuropathy, you have the right to seek compensation via medical malpractice claims, and it is advisable to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The assertive Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are well-versed in what it takes to prevail in claims against negligent doctors, and if we represent you, we will fight to help you seek the results you deserve.

Neuropathy refers to a condition characterized by damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves. Neuropathy can cause a variety of symptoms, such as tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the affected areas. Doctors typically diagnose patients with neuropathy after obtaining a thorough medical history and conducting a physical examination and nerve conduction studies.

If the underlying cause of neuropathy can be identified and successfully managed or treated, a patient’s symptoms may improve or even resolve completely. Treatment may involve medications to alleviate pain and inflammation, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and addressing any underlying conditions contributing to neuropathy.

If a doctor neglects to observe signs indicating that a patient is suffering from nerve damage, though, it can lead to the failure to diagnose neuropathy, which subsequently may result in delayed treatment and progression of the condition, causing permanent or long-term nerve damage and worsening of symptoms.

A doctor’s failure to diagnose neuropathy can cause significant damages. As such, people injured by such oversights will often pursue claims against the doctor responsible for their harm in a medical malpractice case. As the errors that lead to the failure to diagnose neuropathy are typically caused by carelessness rather than intentional acts, a plaintiff will usually assert a medical negligence claim against the defendant in a medical malpractice case.

In Maryland, a plaintiff must establish each element of negligence to recover damages. First, they must establish that the healthcare provider owed them a duty. Generally, the duty doctor owes a patient is to provide treatment in line with the accepted standard of care, which is the care a competent professional working in the same practice area would offer in a similar situation. Second, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant breached this duty by failing to meet the required standard. Third, the plaintiff must establish a causal connection between the defendant’s breach of the duty owed and the injuries suffered. Expert testimony is usually necessary to establish the standard of care and prove that the defendant's actions constitute a deviation from the accepted standard, and to show how the defendant's actions directly led to the harm suffered by the plaintiff. Finally, the plaintiff must provide evidence of actual damages resulting from the defendant’s breach. A plaintiff that successfully demonstrates a defendant’s negligence may recover the cost of any medical expenses associated with treatment for the harm caused by the defendant’s negligence, loss of income, and out-of-pocket costs. They may also be awarded damages for any pain, suffering, and mental trauma caused by the defendant’s behavior.

With a prompt diagnosis and appropriate care, people with neuropathy can often expect good outcomes. If a doctor misses the signs and symptoms of neuropathy, though, the diagnosis may be missed or delayed, ultimately causing the patient to suffer harm. If you were hurt by a physician’s failure to diagnose neuropathy, it is wise to consult with an attorney to discuss your potential claims. The trusted Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group have ample experience helping people pursue damages for the harm caused by negligent doctors, and if you hire us, we will fight tirelessly on your behalf. We regularly represent injured parties in medical malpractice lawsuits in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us through our online form by calling us at (410) 889-1850 or to set up a confidential conference.