Appendicitis Misdiagnosis Attorneys
Appendicitis should be diagnosed before it becomes a life-threatening emergency. When an emergency room sends a patient home despite warning signs, a preventable rupture can lead to peritonitis, sepsis and far more invasive treatment.
At McKeen & Associates, PC, in Detroit and nationwide, we represent patients harmed by serious diagnostic errors throughout Michigan and nationwide. An appendicitis misdiagnosis lawyer can investigate whether an emergency room should have recognized the danger and acted sooner.
The Standard Of Care For Abdominal Pain
Doctors evaluating significant abdominal pain must consider dangerous conditions such as appendicitis before discharging a patient. CT scans are commonly used when appendicitis is suspected in adults. Ultrasound is often the first imaging method for children and pregnant patients, with additional imaging considered when results are inconclusive.
Blood work alone may not rule out appendicitis because an inflamed appendix can occur without an elevated white blood cell count. A failure to diagnose appendicitis may occur when warning signs are dismissed without appropriate imaging, observation or follow-up.
Why Appendicitis Gets Missed
An ER abdominal pain misdiagnosis can occur when nausea, vomiting and pain are attributed too quickly to gastroenteritis or food poisoning.
Women may have symptoms attributed to ovarian cysts, urinary infections or pelvic conditions without adequate investigation. Children may struggle to describe their pain, causing symptoms to be mistaken for constipation or another illness.
When A Missed Diagnosis Leads To Rupture
A delayed diagnosis can allow the appendix to rupture, spilling bacteria into the abdominal cavity. This can cause peritonitis and potentially life-threatening sepsis.
Instead of a more straightforward appendectomy, a patient may require extensive treatment for infection and a longer hospitalization. Lasting complications can include abdominal adhesions and bowel obstruction. When an avoidable diagnostic delay causes these additional injuries, it may qualify as ruptured appendix negligence, supporting a malpractice claim.
Holding Emergency Rooms Accountable
Our appendicitis misdiagnosis lawyers examine medical records, testing decisions and the timeline between discharge and rupture. If a doctor dismissed your abdominal pain and your appendix later ruptured, contact McKeen & Associates, PC, in Detroit.
Call 313-524-8570 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.