{"id":353159,"date":"2020-04-22T08:54:36","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T13:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/medical-malpractice\/can-you-sue-a-doctor-for-the-wrong-diagnosis.html"},"modified":"2025-12-01T12:39:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T17:39:56","slug":"can-you-sue-a-doctor-for-the-wrong-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/medical-malpractice\/can-you-sue-a-doctor-for-the-wrong-diagnosis.html","title":{"rendered":"Can You Sue a Doctor for the Wrong Diagnosis?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can You Sue a Doctor for the Wrong Diagnosis?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Hanan Zaki, J.D., LL.M.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Yes, you can sue a doctor if a doctor misdiagnoses an illness or injury. A medical misdiagnosis of your injury or sickness means the doctor made a medical mistake, like misreading your test results or failing to order proper testing.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

In legal terms, misdiagnosis can be a type of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice law falls under the umbrella of personal injury law. It covers many medical mistakes, such as leaving a sponge inside you during surgery (surgical error). This legal area gives you a basis to sue if a doctor misdiagnoses you.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This FindLaw article explores medical misdiagnoses and how to file a medical malpractice lawsuit if you received the wrong diagnosis. Be sure to also speak with a medical malpractice attorney<\/a> about your potential claim. They can help you determine whether you can sue your doctor.<\/p>\n

Understanding Medical Misdiagnosis Cases<\/h2>\n

Misdiagnosis cases are not limited to medical mistakes. Physicians who fail to give you a diagnosis<\/a>\u00a0or run certain tests, like an X-ray, may give you a wrong or incorrect diagnosis.<\/p>\n

A wrong diagnosis might lead to one of the following outcomes:<\/p>\n