Although approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to the CDC each year, this number does not reflect every case of Lyme disease that occurs in the U.S. every year. The actual number of cases may be five to ten times higher than the number of reported cases, or as many as 300,000 annually.
Early treatment can be critical in curing Lyme disease. The condition can be difficult to diagnose, however, as its symptoms often resemble other types of disorders. Confirming that a patient has Lyme disease generally requires laboratory tests, but these tests can be inconclusive.
The treatment of Lyme disease also raises controversial questions. Physicians and other medical professionals disagree on testing methods, treatment methods, and long-term implications of the disease. Health insurers may refuse to pay for controversial methods of treatment.
Attorneys, physicians, hospitals, insurers, employers and others should be aware of the types of lawsuits and other liability issues that may arise in connection with the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.