The favorable outcome of many medical conditions is partly dependent upon early detection and timely treatment. For example, when cancer is detected in its early stages, patients have a better chance of achieving remission. Unfortunately, healthcare providers don’t always order the appropriate tests or interpret test results accurately, which may mean that a patient’s condition goes undiagnosed for quite some time. Failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis can be a form of malpractice in Washington, D.C. If you’ve been diagnosed with a medical condition that you believe should have been detected much earlier, you can consult medical malpractice lawyers to determine if you have the basis for a lawsuit.
There are certain elements that must be present to prove medical errors occurred. The malpractice lawyer must prove that a doctor-patient relationship existed between the plaintiff and the defendant. Next, the lawyer must present evidence, often in the form of expert testimony, which demonstrates the healthcare provider did not provide competent care. And third, it must be proven that the provider’s medical negligence directly caused the patient’s injuries.
