When a medical professional makes a diagnostic error, the mistake can result in a less optimistic prognosis or even result in shortening of one’s life.  Diagnostic errors by healthcare professionals can lead to ineffective treatment, inappropriate medication and even wrongful death.  Medical malpractice claims based on diagnostic mistakes require an experienced medical malpractice attorney supported by knowledgeable medical experts. These cases typically involve extensive review of medical records including analysis of diagnostic tests.

Although not every misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose an illness necessarily constitutes medical malpractice, this type of omission may be the subject of a medical malpractice lawsuit if your doctor should have reached a proper diagnosis by complying with the standard of care of other similar medical professionals in the community.  More than 120,000 people per year die because of the failure of a medical professional to properly diagnose a medical condition or illness.

These cases require extensive medical knowledge to determine if proper diagnostic procedures were conducted and to identify faulty interpretations of these procedures.  Expert medical opinions also are necessary to establish “causation,” meaning that the delay in diagnosis affected the medical outcome.  The typical harm or injury caused by failure to diagnose a serious illness is either a less positive long-term prognosis or even a reduction in life expectancy.  For example, the failure to properly diagnose a form of cancer may result in a reduced life expectancy for the cancer victim.  We understand that this type of negligent medical care can literally rob a patient of their future and deprive a family of a loved one. Our dedicated and compassionate team works diligently to develop the strongest possible medical malpractice litigation strategy on behalf of those who had a medical condition misdiagnosed, diagnosed in untimely fashion or not diagnosed at all.

Medical malpractice claims based on wrongful diagnosis are extremely complex to litigate.  These cases often depend on highly technical interpretation of various diagnostic procedures, including x-rays, MRIs, CT scans and lab results.  Our Mississippi medical malpractice attorneys work with medical experts, including oncologists, hematologists, cardiologists, pathologists and other medical forensic experts so that we can develop the most persuasive case possible to establish a departure from the appropriate standard of medical care and that the failure caused a worse outcome.

While many types of cancer are highly treatable if detected early, failure to diagnose cancer cases are complicated by the fact that cancer is often fatal even when properly treated.  Sometimes cancer can be diagnosed at very early stages with relatively simple and inexpensive diagnostic procedures including a mammogram for breast cancer or a colonoscopy for colon cancer.  Even if it is established that the a doctor failed to conduct appropriate tests that would have revealed cancer at an earlier stage, medical malpractice carriers will typically argue that the delay in diagnosis did not impact the medical outcome.  This defense essentially amounts to the position that the patient died from the cancer and that the delayed diagnosis did not impact the life expectancy or medical outcome for the cancer victim.

While our experienced Mississippi failure to diagnose medical malpractice attorneys know that we cannot give you back your health or the life of a loved one that has been lost, we can help you obtain compensation so that you can obtain the best possible medical care and provide for the future of your family.  It is tragic when a medical diagnostic mistake is made because a medical professional fails to order appropriate diagnostic screening or misinterprets test results.  Our committed team of Mississippi wrongful diagnosis attorneys along with our knowledgeable team of medical experts engages in thorough analysis of medical records and diagnostic tests so that we can prepare a compelling and clear legal position and provide the most persuasive presentation to a judge or jury.

There is no greater tragedy for a parent than having one’s child suffer a significant debilitating injury.  If this serious injury occurs at birth, it can mean a lifetime of physical, financial and emotional obstacles for the child and enormous medical and long-term care costs for the parents of the child.  If a child suffers a serious mentally or physically debilitating birth injury, the immediate concern of parents is typically for the medical and rehabilitative needs of their child.  However, an injury suffered in birth can result in a lifetime of astronomical medical expenses because lifetime supportive care may be necessary.  The estimated average cost of medical expenses and supportive care for a child with cerebral palsy over the child’s lifetime exceeds $3,000,000.

At the Mississippi cerebral palsy law firm of Barrett Law, we understand the tragic consequences when a child suffers a serous birth injury like cerebral palsy.  We are committed to seeking the substantial recovery necessary for families to care for a child with cerebral palsy and to provide for the highest standard of living and greatest independence for a cerebral palsy victim.  Our experienced Mississippi medical malpractice birth injury team works closely with medical experts to provide a thorough analysis and explanation of medical errors and their relationship to long-term serious injuries like cerebral palsy

It is estimated that there are currently in excess of 800,000 people afflicted with cerebral palsy in the United States.  Another 10,000 babies per year are born with cerebral palsy.  Cerebral palsy is often caused by damage to the cerebrum area of the brain.  The cerebrum controls higher level mental functioning, sensation and motor skills.  Damage suffered to the cerebrum may cause impairment of the brain’s control of posture and movement and can also impact nerve functioning throughout the body.  Approximately 66 percent of babies born with cerebral palsy will suffer diminished mental functioning.

A common cause of cerebral palsy is trauma or injury to the brain that may occur during child birth or immediately before or after child birth.  While medical negligence is not the exclusive cause of this debilitating condition, many times it is caused by negligence by a health care provider or hospital.  A common situation that causes cerebral palsy involves disruption of oxygen to the brain, which is called “hypoxia,” and is sometimes caused by the umbilical cord becoming wrapped around the baby’ s neck.  Cerebral palsy may also be caused by the baby suffering head trauma during the delivery process.  An expectant mother also should carefully read all drug labeling and consult her physician because some drugs can also cause cerebral palsy.  Other causes that have been linked to the development of cerebral palsy include jaundice and infection during pregnancy.   Approximately, fifty percent of all cerebral palsy cases are caused by medical malpractice.

Many cerebral palsy victims require medical devices for mobility including wheel chairs or braces to assist with walking.  Approximately seventy percent of those afflicted with cerebral palsy suffer some form of disability often including impairment of mental functions.  The emotional and financial challenges that confront a child born with cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice can be overwhelming.  Tragically, birth injuries like cerebral palsy are often the result of preventable medical errors committed by physicians and other medical professionals.

Our tenacious Mississippi cerebral palsy attorneys offer effective medical malpractice representation to those who suffer serious birth injuries throughout Mississippi.  Given the enormous damages that are common when a child suffers a birth injury like cerebral palsy, medical malpractice carriers vigorously defend these cases.  Our experienced cerebral palsy lawyers carefully investigate the medical evidence, including medical records to develop the strongest position for negotiation and litigation of your Mississippi cerebral palsy medical malpractice claim.

If your child suffers a serious birth injury like cerebral palsy, you and your child may be entitled to the compensation necessary to provide your child with the highest quality of life despite your child’s injuries.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.