Can a Missed Diagnosis of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Be Medical Malpractice?

What may start as a simple illness with you just feeling tired and having some sort of skin irritation can turn out to be symptoms of a severe illness, the Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Now imagine you have been visiting the hospital constantly for check-ups, and the doctor fails to identify this illness. What can you do? Can you initiate an action against the doctor for malpractice?

This article provides an overview of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and instances where failure to diagnose it can lead to a medical malpractice case.

What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a severe skin condition that is not as common as many other illnesses but presents similar symptoms. Reported cases indicate that patients initially began exhibiting flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever. Over time, they start noticing blisters on their skin, along with painful blisters. Reactions to certain medications like antibiotics or pain relievers are said to be a leading trigger of the illness. “When doctors miss the warning signs of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, patients pay the price with worsening illness and lost time for treatment,” says Dennis Abrams of Lowenthal & Abrams Injury Attorney.

The positive aspect of this condition is that early diagnosis can be beneficial in its effective management. On the other hand, late diagnosis may result in SJS deteriorating badly and causing permanent disability or even death of the patients.

How is Medical Malpractice Defined in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, medical negligence or malpractice occurs when a doctor or healthcare provider fails to exercise the care and duty expected of them, resulting in harm or injury to patients. The standard of care is measured based on how a reasonably competent professional in a similar field would act in that scenario.

For a malpractice claim to succeed in Pennsylvania, four legal elements must generally be established, namely the presence of a duty of care, a breach of that duty, causation, and damages. When it comes to conditions like SJS, the law asks whether a reasonably skilled doctor would have recognized the signs and taken appropriate action.

Can a Missed Diagnosis of SJS Amount to Malpractice In Pennsylvania?

The short answer is yes, it can, provided certain conditions are met to qualify for a medical malpractice claim. Considering that not every missed diagnosis is automatically malpractice, courts in Pennsylvania will consider several factors, such as:

• Was the patient showing signs that a competent doctor should reasonably have recognized as possible SJS?

• Did the doctor review the patient’s medications, allergies, or previous reactions? Because SJS is often drug-induced, overlooking this information could be seen as negligence.

• Did the doctor order appropriate tests, refer the patient to a specialist, or prescribe treatment in line with accepted practices?

• Was there an unreasonable delay in recognizing the seriousness of the condition, which ultimately contributed to a worse patient outcome?

What Challenges Do Victims Face When Proving Malpractice?

While it is possible to bring a malpractice claim for a missed diagnosis of SJS, such claims are rarely straightforward. Proving malpractice requires professional testimony. Pennsylvania courts usually demand that a qualified medical professional testify about what the standard of care was in that situation and how the doctor’s actions fell short.

Additionally, the patient must show clear evidence of harm. If the condition is eventually resolved without lasting damage, courts may be less likely to award damages, even if the diagnosis was delayed. On the other hand, if the missed diagnosis resulted in severe complications such as blindness, scarring, or death, the malpractice case becomes stronger.

Another challenge is Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations. Generally, a medical malpractice lawsuit must be filed within two years of when the patient knew or should have known about the injury. Failing to act within the legally prescribed time frame could result in losing the right to pursue compensation.

Conclusion

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is not a common condition, but when it does present, it can have far-reaching effects on patients. Where it is expected that a doctor will make further investigations, and they fail, eventually discovering it is SJS, it may mean that you can sue the doctor and hospital for medical malpractice. However, considering how sensitive and complex such a case may present itself, you should consider first speaking with a medical malpractice attorney in Pennsylvania.