Appendicitis is not an uncommon health condition. However, if it is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, you may face life-threatening complications. Speaking with an experienced failure to diagnose attorney can be helpful if you suffered complications due to a physician incorrectly diagnosing your appendicitis.
A knowledgeable Chicago appendicitis misdiagnosis lawyer from our legal team at Kaveny Sarmas can help you seek the compensation you deserve. We will work with you to investigate what occurred and determine the best course of action. At Kaveny Sarmas Injury Lawyers, we are not about cases; we are about YOUR case.
What Is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is the inflammation and infection of the appendix, which attaches to the large intestine. A blockage in the appendix causes appendicitis, and common symptoms include sharp pain in the lower right abdomen, fever, and vomiting. To treat appendicitis, a physician will perform an appendectomy to surgically remove the appendix.
If appendicitis is not timely treated, the appendix can rupture, causing infection and even death. If doctors misdiagnosed your appendicitis, our knowledgeable Chicago lawyers can help you pursue justice.
Reasons for Misdiagnosis of Appendicitis
There are a number of possible reasons why a medical professional may misdiagnose appendicitis:
- Failing to conduct a proper diagnostic examination
- Mistaking the symptoms of appendicitis for other abdominal conditions, such as gallstones, a stomach ulcer, or a urinary tract infection
- Neglecting to order a CT scan or ultrasound to properly identify the appendicitis
- Failing to follow up an initial consultation to confirm if the symptoms had resolved
If appendicitis is not diagnosed quickly, complications can greatly increase for the patient. The appendix will eventually rupture, leading to life-threatening infections if not treated. If you suffered appendicitis in Chicago and the doctor negligently misdiagnosed you, an experienced attorney from our firm can explain your legal options.
What Must the Prosecution Prove in an Appendicitis Misdiagnosis Case?
To be successful in an appendicitis misdiagnosis case, you must prove the following:
- The physician had a doctor–patient relationship with you
- The doctor breached the accepted duty of care by acting in a way that other medical professionals would not have, such as by failing to order proper testing, not conducting a thorough physical exam, or not recognizing the symptoms of appendicitis
- The failure of the physician caused your appendix to rupture, and a timely diagnosis could have prevented this
- The medical professional’s deviation from the standard of care directly caused you harm, including additional surgery, a longer hospitalization, or long-term complications
A dedicated attorney from our Chicago team can review your case and determine if your doctor was negligent when they misdiagnosed appendicitis
Contact Our Lawyers in Chicago if a Doctor Misdiagnosed Your Appendicitis
If you suffered complications due to a physician’s misdiagnosis of appendicitis, you can seek compensation for your damages. A misdiagnosis can lead to a longer recovery and cause future problems.
At Kaveny Sarmas Injury Lawyers, we understand that a misdiagnosis can be life-changing. If your doctor failed to correctly diagnose your condition, contact a Chicago appendicitis misdiagnosis lawyer from our firm to discuss your case.
