Is Delayed Medical Treatment Considered Negligence?

From broken bones to cancer, numerous types of medical conditions require prompt treatment. Unfortunately, delayed medical treatment can lead to serious complications. If a doctor or other medical professional failed to diagnose a condition or provide the right treatment in time, you and your family may be able to make a medical negligence claim.

Establishing that negligence caused a serious complaint to go undetected or untreated can be challenging. The Chicago medical negligence attorneys at Coplan + Crane have the experience and knowledge to show that the delay in treatment was the result of negligence on the part of a healthcare provider.

Don’t wait to explore your right to compensation for delayed medical treatment. Call Coplan + Crane at 312-982-0588 today for a FREE case evaluation. We serve patients throughout Illinois from offices in Chicago and Oak Park.

Unnecessary Delays in Treatment May Constitute Medical Negligence

In Illinois, healthcare providers have a legal duty to provide treatment in accordance with the generally accepted standard of care in their area of practice. If a healthcare provider fails to provide treatment in accordance with the relevant standard of care, the provider can and should be held liable.

Broadly speaking, medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the legal duty owed to a patient. This includes delayed diagnosis as well as errors that prevent necessary treatment from being provided in time.

Here are just a handful of examples of how unnecessary delays in treatment can lead to avoidable complications:

• Broken Bones: If a broken bone starts to heal on its own, this can cause the bone to heal improperly. This can lead to chronic pain and permanent disability. In some cases, the bone will need to be broken again in order to set it properly.
• Cancer: Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of cancer may allow the cancer to spread throughout the patient’s body. The more cancer spreads, the harder it is to treat. Advanced-stage cancers can present a much higher risk of mortality.
• Heart Attack: Often characterized by chest pain and other recognizable symptoms, heart attacks are among the most common medical emergencies. The connection between the time that care begins and positive patient outcomes is well-established. As the American Heart Association says, “Treatment delayed is treatment denied.”
• Infections: If not treated promptly, certain types of infections can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Even when sepsis isn’t fatal, it can still have life-altering consequences.
• Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage: Internal bleeding and organ damage are generally considered to be medical emergencies. Without timely intervention, they can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications.
• Nerve Damage: Similar to broken bones, nerve damage in the neck, spine, and other areas of the body can also become more difficult to repair after unnecessary delays in treatment. Atrophy, degeneration, and fibrosis are all potential issues that can result from avoidable treatment delays.

This is not a comprehensive list. If you believe that delayed treatment of any injury or health condition is to blame for complications that you or a loved one experienced post-treatment, it will be worth speaking with a medical malpractice lawyer about your legal rights.

If you have a claim for medical negligence involving delayed treatment, an attorney experienced in medical negligence matters will be able to help you seek just compensation for the damages you and your family have sustained. These may include subsequent medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other financial and non-financial losses.

Damages from delayed medical treatment can be substantial. When seeking compensation, it is vital to entrust your case to a firm with a history of obtaining significant verdicts and settlements for their clients.

Documenting a Medical Negligence Claim Based on Delayed Treatment

Seeking fair compensation for medical negligence requires thorough documentation. In cases involving delayed treatment, this includes:

• Documentation of your (or your loved one’s) diagnosis
• The treatment rendered
• Any consequences that resulted from the delay

Filing a medical negligence claim for delayed treatment also requires proof that the delay represents a deviation from the relevant standard of care. Often, this involves engaging independent medical experts who can provide unbiased opinions about whether the delay should have been avoided under the circumstances at hand.

When you hire a medical malpractice lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will assist with gathering all of the documentation you need. Your lawyer will also engage expert witnesses on your behalf. In addition, they can knowledgeably calculate the economic and non-economic damages you are entitled to recover.

Medical negligence claims are rarely straightforward. Doctors and other defendants are likely to deny responsibility, and insurers typically mount aggressive defenses to avoid large payouts. That is why it is so important to have a seasoned delayed treatment lawyer handle your case.

Contact a Chicago Delayed Medical Treatment Attorney Today

From emergency medicine to specialized fields like cardiology and oncology, most providers recognize the importance of timely treatment. Unfortunately, preventable errors can cause serious and even irreparable harm for patients with a variety of health conditions.

You don’t have to face the consequences of delayed medical treatment on your own. The medical malpractice attorneys at Coplan + Crane have extensive experience holding negligent doctors accountable. We gather strong evidence and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Do you need to know more about pursuing a medical negligence claim based on delayed treatment? Schedule a FREE consultation with Coplan + Crane by calling 312-982-0588 today. Our firm serves clients in Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas of Illinois.