Cancer patient medical malpractice claims

The key to getting the best possible outcome with cancer is early detection and diagnosis so that treatment options, such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or immunotherapy, can start as soon as possible. This gives patients fighting cancer hope that, when caught early enough, these types of treatments may be effective.

Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to their patients to accurately screen for cancer as well as to make an accurate diagnosis based on diagnostic tests such as x-rays, bloodwork, CT scans, and MRIs. 

If cancer is not properly diagnosed or is misdiagnosed as another disease, a patient may not receive the proper treatment or may not receive that treatment in a timely manner. The cancer could quickly progress and metastasize, becoming life-threatening for the patient. Without a proper diagnosis, the options for treatment may be greatly reduced, resulting in the patient’s death. 

Failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, or failure to treat cancer are all types of medical malpractice. If you feel that you have suffered due to the negligence of a healthcare professional, you need to consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Scott S. Harris, medical malpractice attorney for San Diego cancer patients, can evaluate your case to see if you have a legal claim for compensation.

Your diagnosis

A cancer misdiagnosis can lead to devastating results for a patient, causing them to miss a crucial window for treatment. Likewise, when a patient gets a wrong diagnosis of cancer, he or she may end up undergoing unnecessary treatment or surgery that is not only physically painful, but can also be mentally and emotionally stressful. Additionally, the uncertainty and fear that come from a diagnosis of cancer can extract a heavy emotional toll on a patient. 

When a failure to diagnose or a misdiagnosis happens, it can be hard to change the course of treatment for the patient to slow or stop the progression of the cancer. As a result, the patient’s condition may worsen severely, resulting in his or her death.

If your physician or another healthcare professional informs you that a misdiagnosis may have been or has been made, getting a second opinion is crucial. This is especially true for breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer. These three types of cancer make up 10% of all misdiagnosed cancers. 

In medical malpractice cases involving misdiagnosed cancer, determining who is liable depends upon whether a timely diagnosis would likely have led to a significantly better outcome for the patient. This is particularly true for cancers that have a low rate of survival. 

Speaking to an attorney

Medical mistakes that doctors make when it comes to diagnosing cancer create a significant physical and emotional toll on cancer patients and their loved ones as well as a financial burden.

If you feel that you or a loved one has experienced a failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of cancer, or have received inappropriate or no treatment, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, home health care, medications, as well as pain and suffering. Contact a medical malpractice attorney who has a successful record of litigation and arbitration for their clients.