If you or a loved one has been at the receiving end of a misdiagnosis and your health has suffered, our Wilkes-Barre medical malpractice lawyers can assess your case and support you in pursuing justice and seeking financial compensation for your injuries, illness, or loss. A misdiagnosis can lead to incorrect treatments, inappropriate medications, delayed care for the actual condition, and even long-term disability or death.
At Munley Law, our experienced Wilkes-Barre medical malpractice attorneys have almost 70 years of experience in medical malpractice litigation. Our team has secured millions in settlements and verdicts for clients harmed by negligent medical care, including $4.3 million for the failure to diagnose cancer and $2.1 million for a botched surgery that resulted in a tragic death.
Misdiagnosis cases often require a careful review of medical records, diagnostic testing, and expert medical opinions. Our attorneys understand how to identify where the diagnostic process failed and build a case supported by evidence.
Don’t let a misdiagnosis control your future. Contact Munley Law for a free consultation.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Why Can a Wilkes-Barre Medical Misdiagnosis Be Harmful?
Misdiagnosis can seriously impact your physical as well as your financial, and emotional health. When your doctor gets a diagnosis wrong, you miss out on the necessary treatment for your actual condition, and you might end up taking medications you don’t need or undergoing treatments that do even more harm.
Imagine dealing with unnecessary side effects from drugs meant for an illness you don’t even have. Your actual condition may worsen without proper care, leading to more serious health problems. In some cases, a misdiagnosis can even be life-threatening.
The emotional and financial stress of a misdiagnosis can be overwhelming. You may face high medical bills, lost wages from missing work, and frustration that you are not showing improvement.
If a misdiagnosis has injured you, contact a personal injury lawyer near you. Munley Law helps Wilkes-Barre residents hold medical professionals to a higher standard of care while seeking compensation for the financial and personal losses caused by medical negligence.
“Honoring those who came before us, Munley Law proudly continues our family tradition of innovation, caring, and integrity. Three generations of Munleys have built this firm on one belief: that injured people deserve the same fierce advocacy that the powerful receive as a matter of course. That belief still drives everything we do.”
Caroline Munley
Is Misdiagnosis Considered Malpractice?
In Pennsylvania, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, harming the patient. It is considered one of the most common medical errors.
For instance, if a doctor makes a cancer misdiagnosis and treats it as something minor, the delay in treatment can be life-threatening. This delay can lead to the cancer progressing to a more advanced, less treatable stage.
- Incorrect Medicine or Other Treatments: Receiving treatments for the wrong condition can cause harmful side effects and complications.
- Delayed Treatment: Not getting the right diagnosis means your actual condition continues to progress untreated, which can worsen your prognosis.
- Unnecessary Stress: The uncertainty and anxiety of not knowing what’s wrong with you can take a toll on your mental health.
- Financial Problems: You might eventually face increased medical bills for unnecessary treatments and additional costs to correct the misdiagnosis.
Misdiagnosis Statistics
- According to research by Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence, approximately 795,000 Americans suffer serious harm due to misdiagnoses every year.
- The primary cause is a missed stroke.
- Other diseases often misdiagnosed include sepsis, pneumonia, and cancer.
- Misdiagnoses occur approximately 5-11% of the time across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and emergency departments.
Types of Medical Misdiagnosis in Wilkes-Barre
Diagnostic errors can involve many different illnesses. Some of the conditions most frequently associated with medical malpractice claims include:
- Stroke, where early symptoms are mistaken for less serious conditions.
- Heart attack, particularly when symptoms differ from the classic warning signs.
- Sepsis, which can rapidly become life-threatening without prompt treatment.
- Meningitis and other serious infections.
- Pulmonary embolism.
- Cancer, including delayed or missed diagnoses that postpone critical treatment.
Every case is different, and determining whether a diagnostic error constitutes malpractice requires careful review of the medical records and the accepted standards of care.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Misdiagnosis in Wilkes-Barre?
Responsibility for a misdiagnosis may fall on doctors, specialists, nurses, labs, or even the diagnostic equipment manufacturers. In many cases, more than one party may be liable. It’s best to speak to an experienced injury attorney who can investigate your case fully.
Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can investigate the circumstances surrounding your diagnosis, identify the responsible parties, and pursue compensation for the harm you suffered.
Certificate of Merit Requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law generally requires a Certificate of Merit before a medical malpractice claim may proceed. Under Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3, a qualified medical expert must review the claim and conclude that there is a reasonable basis to believe the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care. Our attorneys work with experienced medical professionals to obtain this certification when required.
FAQs on Medical Misdiagnosis in Wilkes-Barre
What Qualifies as a Medical Misdiagnosis in Wilkes-Barre?
A misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider gives an incorrect, delayed, or missed diagnosis that leads to harm. This can include labeling the wrong disease, failing to identify the actual condition, or delaying proper treatment.
Can I File a Medical Malpractice Claim if My Doctor Misdiagnosed Me?
Yes, you can file a medical malpractice claim if the misdiagnosis was due to a breach of the accepted standard of care and resulted in injury or illness.
How Long Do I Have to File a Misdiagnosis Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524, Pennsylvania law sets specific time limits (statutes of limitations) for medical malpractice claims. Most Pennsylvania medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. In addition, the MCARE Act generally establishes a seven-year statute of repose under 40 P.S. § 1303.513(a) for most malpractice claims. Because exceptions may apply, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What Damages Can I Recover In A Misdiagnosis Case?
In a medical misdiagnosis case, victims may be entitled to recover economic damages (such as medical bills and lost income) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering), depending on the severity of the harm.
Do I Have to Go to Court for a Misdiagnosis Claim?
You do not necessarily have to go to court for a medical misdiagnosis claim. Many medical malpractice cases settle out of court, but serious or disputed claims may require trial litigation.
How Long Does it Take to Resolve a Medical Misdiagnosis Lawsuit?
Each medical diagnosis case is unique, meaning resolution timelines can range from months to years, depending on investigations, negotiations, and whether a trial is needed.
What Should I Do If I Suspect I’ve Been Misdiagnosed?
If you suspect that you have been misdiagnosed, you must seek appropriate medical care immediately, document your medical records, and contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to discuss your rights.
Why Trust a Medical Malpractice Lawyer at Munley Law?
Since 1959, Munley Law has represented injured Pennsylvanians in complex personal injury and medical malpractice litigation. Our attorneys have earned recognition from respected legal organizations while securing significant recoveries for clients throughout the Commonwealth.
- Our personal injury attorneys have a national reputation for securing multi-million-dollar settlements in malpractice cases, including $4.3 million, $3.2 million, and $3 million.
- Our attorneys have received awards from the National Trial Lawyers Association, with Caroline Munley named as one of the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
- Daniel Munley was named to the Lawyers of Distinction organization, which offers membership to lawyers based on their case results, community involvement, honors, and professional activity.
- Our legal team is a PA family of “Super Lawyers” with deep local roots and over 250 years’ combined experience.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Munley Law Today
You might be entitled to compensation if you or a family member has been harmed due to a misdiagnosis in Wilkes-Barre. Contact Munley Law today for your free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.
Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley is one of the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania as ranked by the National Trial Lawyers Association. A fierce and compassionate voice for medical malpractice victims, Caroline has, in her career as a medical malpractice lawyer, assisted in several multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts. Caroline has additionally been twice honored by the National Trial Lawyers Association in Pennsylvania, once as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and second as a Top 25 Women Trial Lawyer.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on September 2, 2026.
