Skin conditions can be difficult to diagnose. However, doctors in Maryland are expected to overcome this challenge. If your doctor has misdiagnosed your skin condition, you might be wondering whether you can take legal action. The skin is often a “warning system” for the entire body, and a simple rash could indicate a much more serious, underlying issue. Could this lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit in Owings Mills?
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is one of the most serious skin issues imaginable, and it is often misdiagnosed. Often, doctors misdiagnose skin cancer as eczema or another less serious skin problem. This mistake can cause patients to lose crucial time. The faster they treat skin cancer, the better their chances of positive outcomes. Misdiagnosing skin cancer as eczema should never occur in Maryland, and it is an inexcusable mistake. Skin cancer may also be misdiagnosed as benign skin lesions, psoriasis, or keratosis.
Jaundice
Jaundice is another skin condition that is often misdiagnosed or missed entirely. Also known as the “yellowing of the skin,” this issue typically indicates serious issues in various organs. These include the liver, pancreas, and the gallbladder. It is almost unthinkable to miss this issue, as the patient’s skin and eyes are clearly yellow. Despite these obvious signs, doctors often fail to notice jaundice – causing serious issues for patients who lose critical time.
Rashes
Despite the seemingly innocuous nature of rashes, some can indicate life-threatening medical issues. According to WebMD, these life-threatening conditions may include pemphigus vulgaris (PV), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSS). Doctors who simply dismiss rashes without taking a closer look are putting their patients at risk. If your doctor failed to notice the signs of a serious rash, you may be able to pursue legal action.
Infections
The skin is vulnerable to all kinds of infections. As the largest organ in the body, the skin is also exposed to the elements. A cut or abrasion could eventually become infected, especially if caused by rusty or dirty surfaces. Doctors should recognize the signs of skin infections and take appropriate action immediately. If infections are allowed to spread, patients may have no other choice but to pursue invasive surgeries. Sometimes, amputations are necessary. If you were forced to have a limb amputated because a doctor failed to notice the obvious signs of infection, you may be able to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Learn More About Medical Malpractice Lawsuits in Owings Mills
If you wish to learn more about medical malpractice lawsuits, you might want to speak with a Baltimore misdiagnosis lawyer. If your skin condition was misdiagnosed and this mistake led to a more serious medical issue, you might have every right to take legal action. Reach out to Furman Honick Law today and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.
Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10906670/
webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/life-threatening-skin-rashes