Although medicine may not be an exact science, health care providers must follow precise procedures when diagnosing patients. If they deviate from the most widely accepted standard of care and end up misdiagnosing the patient, it can have far-reaching consequences. Here are some of the most devastating ways this form of medical malpractice can affect the victim’s life. 

How a Misdiagnosis Can Impact Your Life

1. Physically

Naturally, the physical toll that a misdiagnosis can take on your health will depend on the circumstances. Regardless of the specifics, though, getting diagnosed with the wrong condition means you won’t receive the right treatment. As such, complications are likely to arise, and some of them could be life-threatening or cause permanent damage. 

2. Mentally 

If you're diagnosed with a condition that’s relatively easy to treat, you’ll undoubtedly be relieved—until it becomes apparent that the prescribed treatment isn’t working. If, on the other hand, you’re diagnosed with a more serious condition, you’ll have to cope with the emotional distress that comes with such news. In other words, regardless of which might apply, this form of medical malpractice will inevitably cause mental anguish. 

3. Financially 

The financial impact of a misdiagnosis can be enough to threaten the whole family’s security. Not only will you have to cover expenses for treatments you don’t need, for example, but you’ll also have to cover medical bills for all of the unnecessary complications that arise along the way. Then there are the indirect costs like lost wages from missed work. Thankfully, you can include all these monetary losses in your medical malpractice claim. You can also include expenses for reasonably necessary costs like home care, child care, and domestic help. 

If you or someone you love received a misdiagnosis, contact Egan & Richgels, S.C. Based in La Crosse, WI, this personal injury law firm has been representing clients throughout western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota since 1978. Their attorneys are not afraid to take on even the largest corporations and insurers. From medical malpractice to nursing home negligence, they’re equipped to prove all kinds of wrongdoings. To request a free consultation with a member of their team, visit their website or call (608) 784-0087.