An incorrect or delayed diagnosis can carry serious negative consequences for Massachusetts patients. When doctors don’t diagnose patients in a timely manner, patients often suffer as their symptoms continue to worsen or even experience new health problems as a result of the delay. In another state, for example, a Veterans Administration hospital’s failure to make an accurate diagnosis allegedly resulted in a number of serious injuries to a patient’s foot.
A couple is suing the United States of America under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The lawsuit alleges that the husband suffered injuries due to the negligent treatment he received — and failed to receive — at the Veterans Administration Medical Center where he sought care. According to the complaint, the plaintiff was under the medical care of the defendant for foot pain for a period of approximately three years, beginning in 2014.
The lawsuit asserts that the patient suffered serious injuries as a direct result of the defendant’s negligence. More specifically, the medical facility allegedly failed to properly diagnose the man’s osteochondral defect. This, in turn, meant that the VA failed to perform the necessary left ankle fusion and further failed to recognize inappropriate fusion.
The injured victim and his wife are seeking judgment against the defendant to exceed $50,000. As injured individuals in Massachusetts are likely already aware, not only can misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses lead to a number of additional health issues for patients, but they often require costly medical care to address the problems that result. Victims of a doctor’s failure to make an accurate diagnosis who live in North Adams or the surrounding area may wish to explore their own options for just compensation with an attorney experienced in complex medical malpractice cases.
Source: pennrecord.com, “Ohio couple alleges negligence of Veterans Administration facility caused injures to the husband“, Louie Torres, Jan. 23, 2018