At Gordon Thomas Honeywell, we help individuals and families harmed by diagnostic errors, failure to diagnose, and misdiagnosis understand their legal options. Drawing on decades of experience handling medical malpractice cases across Washington, our team of medical malpractice lawyers provides steady support, clear information, and strong guidance in navigating your potential case when a misdiagnosis disrupts your health and stability. If you or a loved one is coping with preventable complications linked to a diagnostic mistake, you don’t have to navigate the situation alone.

A misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare professional fails to identify a condition correctly or in a timely manner. This can include:

• Diagnosing the wrong condition
• Failing to diagnose the condition 
• Recognizing the condition only after it has significantly progressed when it should have been diagnosed earlier 
• Overlooking complications that required follow-up or additional testing

Misdiagnosis claims often focus on whether the provider violated the standard of care, which is the level of care, skill, and learning expected of a reasonably skilled healthcare professional in similar circumstances. When a departure from that standard leads to injury or harm, a medical malpractice claim may be appropriate.

Diagnostic errors can occur in clinics, emergency departments, hospitals, urgent care centers, obstetric settings, and specialty practices. They may involve physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, radiologists, laboratory professionals, and others involved in interpreting symptoms, tests, or imaging.

But when a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis occurs, the consequences can be serious. Conditions may worsen, treatment options may narrow, and patients may face physical and emotional challenges that could have been avoided with a timely, accurate diagnosis. Our personal injury attorneys help individuals and families pursue accountability when preventable diagnostic errors cause harm.

Misdiagnosis can occur for many reasons, and its effects vary widely depending on the condition involved. Our firm handles a broad range of misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis claims, including both condition-specific errors and failures in the diagnostic process.

Condition-Specific Misdiagnosis Examples

These cases involve a failure to identify or correctly diagnose a specific condition:

• Cancer Misdiagnosis: Early identification is critical. Missed warning signs, misread imaging, or delays in ordering appropriate tests can result in advanced disease and reduced treatment options.
• Heart Attack and Stroke Misdiagnosis: Symptoms may mimic less serious conditions. Failure to recognize or respond to signs in a timely manner can lead to permanent injury or wrongful death.
• Infection and Sepsis: A failure to diagnose infections, or delays in follow-up when symptoms worsen, can quickly escalate to life-threatening complications.
• Misdiagnosis in Emergency Settings: Patients in emergency rooms may be discharged prematurely or treated for the wrong condition when providers miss key indicators requiring further evaluation, including situations that may result in serious birth injuries during labor and delivery.

Diagnostic errors can occur in clinics, emergency departments, hospitals, urgent care centers, obstetric settings, and specialty practices. In some cases, a delayed or incorrect diagnosis may also contribute to preventable surgical errors that place patients at further risk.

Diagnostic Process Failures

Some misdiagnosis claims stem from errors in the steps leading to a correct diagnosis. Examples include:

• Failure to Order or Interpret Tests: When lab work, imaging, or specialist referrals are not ordered, or are misread, the underlying condition may remain untreated.
• Incomplete Medical History or Symptom Evaluation: Rushed appointments, incomplete records, or failure to consider relevant medical history can lead to incorrect assumptions.
• Failure to Follow Up: Test results that are never reviewed, communicated, or acted upon are a frequent source of preventable harm, particularly for hospitalized patients who may also develop avoidable pressure injuries during prolonged stays.
• Premature Diagnosis or Incorrect Differential Diagnosis: When potential causes aren’t fully explored, patients may receive treatment that does not address the true condition.

Whether your case involves a specific condition or a breakdown in the diagnostic process, our attorneys work with medical experts to determine whether a provider’s actions violated the duty of care.

A misdiagnosis claim can feel complex, especially while managing ongoing medical care. Our firm provides a clear and organized process to help clients move forward.

1. Free Consultation and Case Evaluation: We begin by listening to your experience, reviewing available records, and discussing potential next steps.
2. Comprehensive Investigation: Our attorneys obtain medical records, chart notes, imaging, correspondence, and other documentation. We collaborate with medical experts to determine what should have occurred.
3. Preparing and Filing the Claim: If supported by evidence, we file a medical malpractice lawsuit detailing the negligence and resulting damages.
4. Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange information through depositions, written questions and requests for documents, expert reports, and additional record review.
5. Negotiation and Mediation: Many cases resolve through settlement discussions. We work to secure compensation that reflects the full scope of your losses.

Trial:  Our medical malpractice attorneys are skilled trial attorneys who are equipped to present a strong, effective case to the jury at trial.