Failure to Diagnose and Misdiagnosis of Cancer
Failure to timely diagnose and treat cancer can lead to severe complications and even wrongful death. Few discoveries are as concerning as learning that a cancer was misdiagnosed or not diagnosed as early as appropriate. This delicate issue becomes even more painful when a physician failed to timely identify, correctly diagnose or treat the condition. A mistake of this magnitude can be life-altering.
Since 1990, more Americans have died of cancer than the casualties from the World’s major wars and conflicts combined. Over a lifetime, about 1 out of 2 American men and 1 out of 3 American women will develop cancer of some type. The National Institute of Health estimated overall costs for cancer in the United States at over $200 billion. Frightening statistics reveal the number of cancer cases increase in most categories each year.
Cancer is one of those diseases where time is of utmost concern. In spite of ongoing scientific research and progress in the quest to find better treatments for cancer, early diagnosis remains one of the most effective weapons when battling the disease. The earlier cancer is diagnosed and treatment begun, the more favorable the outcome will likely be.
Failure to diagnose cancer can be the result of many factors.
- Failure to perform proper diagnostic tests
- Errors in interpreting the results of tests
- Errors made on the part of laboratory technicians processing the tests
- Misinterpreting the symptoms presented by the patient
In any case, failure to diagnose a disease as serious and as potentially deadly as cancer can have dire consequences for the patient and their family. Brett H. Oppenheimer, PLLC has evaluated and/or pursued cases involving the following kinds of cancer and related cases:
- Colon cancer
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Brain tumors
- Bladder cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Various others
The failure to diagnose cancer by a medical professional could delay potentially life-saving treatment. In the majority of cancer cases, the patient’s odds of beating cancer are directly related to the stage to which the disease has progressed. It is quite possible for cancer to progress to the extent that it is no longer treatable. If you live in Kentucky and have concerns or legal questions contact Brett H. Oppenheimer, PLLC. If you live in the Louisville area call our local extension for a free consultation.
