When you’re facing a new diagnosis, it’s natural to have a ton of questions and want to learn everything you can about your doctor’s recommendations. Even if you have been seeing your doctor for years and trust their medical expertise, you should never let it stop you from seeking a second opinion.

If you have been diagnosed with a serious, complex, or life-changing condition, here are three reasons why you should consider getting a second opinion from another doctor.

Reason #1: You Can Become More Educated About Your Diagnosis.

Tackling a new diagnosis can be stressful, scary, and traumatic. However, having all the information regarding your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis can help you feel more empowered about your situation. This way, you have all the knowledge from various resources to help put you in control of your health outcomes and advocate for yourself.

Reason #2: Your Diagnosis Is Not Definitive.

Diagnosis is a complex process and, unfortunately, doctors don’t always get it right. Misdiagnosis is a common cause of medical malpractice claims in the U.S. For instance, the symptoms that your doctor used to diagnose you may be consistent with the symptoms of a more common, treatable condition. With this in mind, know that your diagnosis is not entirely definitive until confirmed by multiple doctors.

Reason #3: There May Be More Than One Treatment Option.

For many types of conditions, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to treatment options. By getting a second (and third) opinion, you can be more confident knowing that you have the most optimal treatment plan that suits your unique needs and eliminates any unnecessary treatments.

If you or a loved one experienced harm due to medical negligence, you don’t have to suffer in silence. The Portland legal team at Angel Law, P.C. has been assisting those harmed due to medical malpractice for decades. We purposefully only take on a handful of cases each year so that each client that we represent receives quality and personalized legal services.

Contact our firm at (503) 862-8666 to speak with head attorney, Patrick Angel, at your earliest convenience.