Parkinson's Disease Misdiagnosis

Parkinson's Disease Misdiagnosis

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes with barely noticeable tremors in just one hand or stiffening of joints. Tremors are common but it can also cause slowing down of movements like walking or running as well as some speech problems too, commonly occurs among elderly. From the time symptoms start, it can take 10-20 years for Parkinson's disease to have full effects on a person. Not only do people gradually develop tremors in just one hand but they also become stiff and slow down their movement drastically over this period of time.

Nearly one million Americans live with Parkinson's Disease; more common neurological problems such as MS or muscular dystrophy pale in comparison at less than half a milllion each. This rises sharply when you factor for our aging population into account: over 600 thousand new cases will be reported annually for the next upcoming years. 

Patients with Parkinson's are oftentimes experience misdiagnosis, along with patients with Chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia, and etc., from the given health conditions, common thing to be observed is that their nature is they are neurological disease which exhibits similar symptoms such as: fidgety and tremors in both hands, impaired vision or any senses and lack of coordination.

Misdiagnoses of Parkinson's disease can lead doctors down the wrong path when treating patients suffering from this debilitating disorder and rendering victims undergo in prolonged and untreated condition. According to a new study by researchers, 1 out of 4 patients with Parkinson's Disease or as many as 25% of all cases go unreported or undiagnosed due mainly because they cannot be detected until later stages,not even shown on brain imaging scans which could help diagnose them earlier than is currently possible, or symptoms are confused with another illness; as there is are no specific tests that diagnoses Parkinson's early enough before it has time do too much damage. Generally, people who were misdiagnosed experienced:

• 48% were medically maltreated or prescribed with wrong medications different from their condition
• 36% were given medication
• 6% even went far as given an operation
• 6% had both medication and operation

The combined direct and indirect cost of Parkinson’s, including treatment, social security payments and lost income is estimated to be nearly $52 billion per year in the United States alone. This figure does not include additional neurological conditions that may arise as a result from damage done by untreated or poorly managed Parkinson's symptoms such as Alzheimer's disease which can cost up to an average $200k/year for caregiving assistance. Misdiagnosing a neurological disorder is not a joke, aside from putting patient's life into a peril wherein he/she receive wrong treatment and possibly prolong or even develop a complication with current condition. 

Unfortunately, when medical errors occur as a result of carelessness or negligence on the part of doctors and nurses, it can have serious consequences. Cleveland based law firm Ryan LLP wants to help people like you who are victims in these cases by providing legal representation for those who need assistance with reimbursement costs from insurance companies that deny coverage because they don’t recognize an error has occurred.