Why Do Some Doctors Fail to Diagnose Brain Injuries?

With each passing year, scientific and technological breakthroughs transform the future of medicine and health. Notably, there have been significant developments in diagnostic tests—such as high-end MRI scans—that can help identify serious brain injuries. Nevertheless, many individuals find that there are still significant gaps in care that can lead to a medical professional failing to diagnose a brain injury. Patients rely on doctors to not only provide health care but to recognize and treat their injuries. A delay in diagnosis not only hurts the patient’s chances for medical recovery but can also cause complications with a potential lawsuit.

If you suffered a brain injury due to a negligent third party, it’s crucial that you get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor so you can present a precise portrayal of your injury to the court. However, traumatic brain injuries are often overlooked and undiagnosed, which is why it’s so important to partner with an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer who can help. At Danko Meredith, our team uses sophisticated strategies to investigate and document our clients’ brain injuries. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your family on the road to recovery.

Understanding Why Doctors Fail to Diagnose Brain Injuries

Surprisingly, it’s relatively common for doctors to fail to recognize traumatic brain injuries in patients. Failure to diagnose a brain injury can exacerbate that injury, giving rise to additional symptoms that have lifelong consequences for the affected individual. When this is the case, these types of injuries can have a devastating impact on not only your physical health but mental health and way of life. The question is, why is it so common for doctors to misdiagnose brain injuries? Here are a few possible explanations:

• Symptoms aren’t immediately visible: Symptoms of a TBI may not be noticeable until days or weeks after the accident.
• A doctor fails to complete a thorough examination: This process includes collecting important facts about your circumstances to determine if a TBI is likely.
• You didn’t hit your head: If the injury wasn’t initially to your head, there’s still a chance that a violent movement caused a jolt that led the brain to shift in the skull that doctors may not notice.
• The doctor used erratic imaging technology: Imaging tools such as CAT scans and MRIs are used to create an accurate diagnosis, but they’re often unreliable methods with which to diagnose a brain injury.
• A patient’s other injuries took precedence: If severe damage to other parts of your body demanded immediate and ongoing attention, a doctor may not have recognized a brain injury.
• Poor monitoring: If you went to the emergency room and weren’t cared for correctly or the hospital lacked sufficient staffing, TBIs can be missed.

If you think you were injured by a doctor or medical facility due to medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries through a medical malpractice claim. Malpractice can occur at any stage of medical care, including diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, and chronic illness management. However, it’s important to note that medical negligence isn’t simply having a poor outcome for a treatment or procedure. To establish if a medical provider breached the standard of care, get in touch with the experienced professionals at Danko Meredith today.

Contact the Skilled Brain Injury Lawyers at Danko Meredith

Because TBIs are challenging to diagnose, building a case for a brain injury claim involves a great deal of medical evidence, expert testimony, and investigative work to prove the extent of your injuries and the other party’s negligence. That’s where we come in. At Danko Meredith, our team uses our years of experience and the latest technology to present the greatest argument in a court of law. With our help, you may be able to secure the compensation you need from the at-fault party.

At Danko Meredith, we were named one of the Best Law Firms in America by US News & World Report, and our exceptional lawyers are always mentioned among California’s elite. We care about you and will remain by your side throughout the lawsuit process. No matter the size or complexity of the case, we’ll put our full attention to all of our clients who deserve justice. For a free consultation, give us a call at (650) 453-3600 or complete our contact form today.