Should I Get a Second Opinion?
Medical malpractice cases involve a breach of standard of care, and are filed due to medical errors including:
- Prescribing the wrong medication
- Wrong dosage of medications
- Wrong-site surgeries
- Misdiagnosis
- Many injuries and missed diagnoses can be avoided by seeking a second opinion from another physician or specialist.
Patients often feel anxious asking their doctor about getting a second opinion; they worry whether their doctors may be offended by their doubts. It’s important for patients to know that a good doctor will always welcome a second opinion—it is a matter of being responsible for the patient’s health. Physicians should never get defensive about patients seeking a second opinion.
When to Seek a Second Opinion
When patients are diagnosed with a condition or are given a treatment plan, they should always consider certain factors before accepting their diagnosis as the final word. Patients should know:
- What their doctor’s specialties are
- If their doctor has diagnosed their condition before and how many times
- If treatment involves life threatening surgery, what their doctor’s success rate is
After finding out the answers to these questions, patients may feel the need to seek out another opinion. You should get a second opinion if:
- You are uncertain about your doctor’s qualifications
- Your physician doesn’t have experience with your condition
- Your condition is unusual
- If your doctor offers no treatment
- A non-emergency surgery has been recommended
Researching and making appointments with someone who is a leading specialist in your condition is beneficial. Physicians frequently have different outlooks and philosophies regarding the treatment of certain illnesses. Second opinions can confirm a diagnosis, let patients know if there has been a misdiagnosis, and provide alternative options for treatment.
Contact Kaplan & Lukowski, LLP
Avoid the need to file for medical malpractice by always seeking out a second opinion in the case of serious illnesses and non-emergency surgeries. Second opinions ensure proper treatment and prevent medical errors. If necessary, a third opinion can never hurt.
Kaplan & Lukowski, LLP is the Atlanta personal injury and medical malpractice firm with the experience necessary to represent you. If you believe you have been injured due to the negligence of medical professional, allow our attorneys to review your case. Contact us online or call (404) 845-0012.