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A medical professional’s failure to diagnose cancer can have life-threatening or deadly consequences. When a patient is unaware of the illness, they lose crucial time for early intervention and treatment. Patients may also receive a false diagnosis, causing them to receive unnecessary procedures and treatment.
The consequences can be devastating when patients are harmed due to healthcare professionals’ carelessness. With this in mind, state laws allow injured patients or surviving family members to take legal action against negligent providers with the help of a dedicated medical malpractice attorney. Call a knowledgeable Erie cancer misdiagnosis lawyer to schedule an appointment.
A Cancer Misdiagnosis Can Result From Medical Malpractice
A cancer misdiagnosis in a medical malpractice case refers to medical professionals failing to correctly identify a patient’s condition. These cases can also involve errors leading to an inaccurate diagnosis and unnecessary treatment for a patient who does not have cancer.
While not all misdiagnosis cases are caused by negligence, when these circumstances do occur because of a medical professional’s mistakes, a patient may have cause for legal action. Some examples of how negligence can lead to a cancer misdiagnosis include:
- Misinterpretation of imaging studies
- Failure to conduct proper tests
- Failure to run tests and screen for a condition indicated by symptoms
- Sample errors, such as misplacement or mixing up patient results
- False cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Neglecting to consult with patients about symptoms
Doctors and providers must meet a specific standard of care that any other physician operating in the same field would provide. Patients have the right to pursue damages when there is evidence their physician failed to meet this legal benchmark. An Erie cancer misdiagnosis attorney can review the details of a specific case to determine if there is evidence of healthcare provider negligence.
Possible Recoverable Damages
The possible recoverable damages for cancer misdiagnosis caused by malpractice include:
- Medical expenses and the anticipated cost of ongoing care
- Prescriptions, medical devices, home renovations, and at-home medical care
- Lost income, benefits, and earning potential for the work the plaintiff misses as a result of the illness
- Psychological and physical anguish and pain and suffering caused by the medical error
- Loss of the enjoyment of life, companionship, and consortium
- Permanent disabilities
Out-of-pocket damages are often easy to prove with documentation such as doctor bills, medical records, and pay stubs. While non-monetary damages are more challenging to prove, the civil courts recognize the severe effects a cancer misdiagnosis can have on plaintiffs’ overall quality of life. An Erie attorney can provide vital assistance with maximizing the amount of financial damages that are available to a patient who has experienced harm because of a cancer misdiagnosis.
Meet With a Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney in Erie
A delay or mistake in diagnosing cancer can have dire consequences. When these mistakes happen because of carelessness, you have every right to take action to hold an at-fault healthcare professional accountable. However, medical malpractice laws are complex, and it can be challenging to establish negligence in these types of cases.
If you experienced harm because of a healthcare professional’s mistakes, a hard-working and experienced Erie cancer misdiagnosis lawyer can handle the legal work involved with securing fair compensation. Call Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys, today to schedule a consultation and begin preparing your case.
