“From Missed Diagnosis to Lifelong Harm: Lessons for Patients, Doctors, A.I., and the Law”

In a case highlighted by The New Yorker—“If A.I. Can Diagnose Patients, What Are Doctors For? Large language models are transforming medicine—but the technology comes with side effects,” by Dhruv Khullar—we’re reminded how a missed diagnosis can spiral into life-altering harm and how patients increasingly turn to A.I. for answers when medicine falls short. The story of Matthew Williams, whose cecal volvulus was initially dismissed as “constipation,” illustrates both the stakes of diagnostic error and the complicated role A.I. now plays in modern care.

In 2017, Matthew Williams went from an active life to one shaped by fear of everyday foods after an emergency visit that clinicians dismissed as “probable constipation.” A missed diagnosis of cecal volvulus—an intestinal twist that cuts off blood flow and requires urgent surgery—cost him roughly six feet of intestine, and with it the ability to eat freely, social comfort, and a measure of his former life. Years of follow-up care, repeated consultations, and dietary restrictions followed before a simple experiment with an A.I. tool helped point toward a dietary explanation that clinicians had not identified.

How a missed diagnosis becomes medical malpractice

Not every bad outcome is malpractice. But when a healthcare provider departs from the accepted standard of care and that departure causes harm, injured patients may have a claim. In cases like Williams’s, common issues we see include:

• Failure to diagnose a surgical emergency. Volvulus and other causes of intestinal obstruction are medical emergencies. Early recognition and imaging (CT scans, prompt surgical consultation) can prevent bowel strangulation and extensive resection.

• Improper treatment that worsens the condition. Treating a surgical abdomen as a benign problem—e.g., giving laxatives—can accelerate ischemia or perforation in a twisted bowel.

• Delayed referral or escalation. Red-flag signs (severe, unrelenting pain; worsening exam; leukocytosis; dropping hemoglobin) require early surgical involvement.

• Failure to communicate risk and follow up. Discharging patients without clear return precautions can lead to avoidable deterioration.

When these failures are present and causally linked to worsened outcomes—more extensive surgery, chronic disability, significant lifestyle limitations, lost income, or prolonged pain—they can form the basis of a medical malpractice claim.

The human cost matters

Beyond surgical notes and imaging, malpractice cases are about real losses: social isolation when food triggers fear and embarrassment; ongoing medical care and specialist visits; the time and expense of repeated testing; and the psychological toll of living with a changed body. Damages in a claim account for both objective losses (medical bills, lost earnings) and subjective harms (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life).

A.I. as ally—within limits

Williams’s later relief after using an A.I. tool to identify high-oxalate foods highlights a new reality: patients may turn to technology for answers when clinicians do not provide them. A.I. can surface overlooked possibilities and help patients prepare more productive conversations with doctors. At the same time, A.I. tools can “hallucinate” facts, miss context, and are no substitute for a clinician’s exam, judgment, and appropriate testing.

From a legal standpoint, the rise of A.I. also raises new questions: did clinicians consider readily available tests or differentials? Did reliance on incomplete assumptions contribute to harm? Patients who bring A.I. outputs to appointments should preserve records, but should be cautious about substituting chatbots for medical evaluation.

Practical steps if you or a loved one were harmed

1. Preserve medical records. Obtain ER notes, imaging, operative reports, and discharge instructions.

2. Write a timeline. Record symptoms, visits, advice given, medications administered, and life impacts.

3. Get appropriate medical follow-up. Address current health needs while exploring legal options.

4. Seek a second opinion. Another specialist may identify treatable causes of ongoing problems.

5. Consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Time limits apply; early review preserves evidence.

How experienced medical malpractice attorneys can help

Our team investigates quickly, secures records, consults with leading experts, and pursues compensation when substandard care causes avoidable injury. In complex cases—especially where diagnostic delay, misread imaging, or contraindicated treatments played a role—early legal action is essential.

If you or a family member suffered injury after an emergency visit or other medical care that seemed cursory, call the medical malpractice attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf for a confidential review. Speak with an experienced attorney at 212-943-1090 to understand your rights and options. Time limits apply to malpractice claims; prompt contact helps preserve evidence and legal remedies.

Note: This post draws on reporting from Dhruv Khullar in The New Yorker and is provided for general information; it is not medical advice.