Medical Misdiagnosis Attorneys
Last updated on June 5, 2025
We are fortunate to live in a country with the best medical care in the world. Every day, doctors, EMTs, lab techs and ER personal make vital diagnoses, which help patients and injury victims to heal and recover. In many instances, lives are saved. As medical professionals, these individuals are held to a high level of responsibility when it comes to making proper diagnoses. And they must be, because other lives depend on it. So when misdiagnosis occurs and a patient suffers further injuries or dies, it is time to take legal action.
At The Townsley Law Firm, we help injured patients and family members bring medical misdiagnosis lawsuits in order to recover rightful compensation. The settlements and verdicts we win are critical in helping our clients address further medical costs, lost wages due to an inability to work, pain and suffering, and in some cases the devastating loss of a loved one. Get the answers you need with a free initial consultation.
Table of Contents
- Examples of misdiagnosed illnesses
- How are medical misdiagnosis claims proven?
- What causes a medical misdiagnosis?
- A legal team with knowledge
- Do you have a misdiagnosis claim?
Delayed, Late And Incorrect Diagnosis Happens With Many Illnesses
Misdiagnosis can take many forms, and our lawyers can address them all. Sometimes a heart attack may be misdiagnosed as heartburn. In other cases, a doctor may misread X-rays or vital tests. We have also seen lab technicians who make errors when analyzing specimens.
Commonly misdiagnosed illnesses, injuries and conditions include:
How Are Medical Misdiagnosis Claims Proven?
Proving a misdiagnosis claim in Lake Charles involves gathering strong evidence to show that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care. This means proving that another competent doctor in the same situation would have made a correct diagnosis.
To prove misdiagnosis, a medical malpractice attorney relies on:
- Medical records that show what symptoms the patient reported and what tests were done
- Expert testimony to establish what the proper diagnosis should have been
- Evidence of harm resulting from the incorrect or delayed diagnosis
Together, these pieces help build a case that the misdiagnosis caused serious harm, like delayed treatment, worsening conditions or unnecessary procedures.
Patients in Lake Charles considering a misdiagnosis claim should also act quickly, as Louisiana law imposes strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice lawsuits. The statute of limitation is 1 year from the date of discovery or incident and 3 years maximum from the date of the alleged malpractice.
What Causes A Medical Misdiagnosis?
There are many reasons why doctors misdiagnose conditions. While medical professionals often work under pressure, some mistakes are preventable and result from gaps in communication or judgment.
Some common reasons behind misdiagnoses include:
- Inadequate patient evaluation, such as not listening closely to symptoms
- Misinterpreting test results or failing to order the right diagnostic tests
- Time constraints, especially in busy emergency rooms or clinics
- Confirmation bias, where a doctor sticks with an initial assumption despite new information
- Lack of specialist referrals when a case requires more expertise
- Incomplete medical history, where doctors overlook past conditions or family history that could inform a correct diagnosis
- Poor communication between medical staff, such as failing to relay test results or updates across departments
These issues can lead to serious complications, especially if the real condition goes untreated.
If you suspect a misdiagnosis in Lake Charles, it is essential to talk to a qualified medical malpractice attorney. We help determine whether your experience points to negligence and what legal steps you can take to seek justice.
A Legal Team With Medical Knowledge
Misdiagnosis cases rely heavily on medical evidence, and it is important to work with lawyers who understand how to interpret this information. When you work with our law firm, you will be represented by more than just skilled attorneys. Our legal team also includes members with nursing backgrounds, pre-med studies and significant medical negligence litigation. By combining our legal experience and medical knowledge, we are able to present solid claims that get results.
Get A Free Consultation About Your Misdiagnosis Claim
With any severe injury, it is important not to face the insurance companies alone. Reach out to us online, or call our Lake Charles medical misdiagnosis lawyers at 337-377-0584. We are ready to help.