Can I sue a doctor for failure to provide timely care?

A delay in the diagnosis of a medical condition or a delay in the doctor providing timely care is two common situations in which doctors are sued. It is important the physician provides a diagnosis or refers a patient to a specialist within a reasonable amount of time to obtain the diagnosis. The physician is also obligated to provide treatment within a timely manner so the condition does not worsen.

Based on this, it is possible for you to sue a doctor you does not provide timely care.

Effects of Delayed Care

The problems that arise when diagnosis and treatment is not provided in a timely manner are varied. The main problem can be seen in some medical conditions such as cancer in which early diagnosis and treatment equals a higher prognosis for survival. Delayed treatment can result in the condition worsening over time.

In some medical conditions, if diagnosis and treatment is given in a timely manner, this can increase the likelihood of the person surviving the condition with the use of more treatment options. For example, a treatment medication may only be effective only during the first few weeks of the disease.

Another problem with delayed care is can lead to severe injury. This can result from the doctor providing the wrong diagnosis, correcting the mistake and providing treatment late. In some illnesses such as diabetes, injury to the eyes, blood vessels and nerves may be irreparable if this occurs.

Medical Malpractice: is your doctor responsible?

If your doctor has delayed care, the next step for anyone should be to consult an attorney on the options for your legal case.