Recognizing the signs that cancer was caused by medical negligence is key to pursuing a successful legal claim. Delays in diagnosis or treatment, missed screenings, misread test results, or dismissed symptoms can all potentially indicate negligence.
If you’ve developed cancer due to preventable medical mistakes, you shouldn’t be on the hook for the resulting expenses. A Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyer can help you recover damages.
What Are the Signs That Cancer Was Caused by Medical Negligence?
Cancer-related medical negligence can take many forms. In many cases, patients only realize a mistake occurred after their condition worsens or becomes more difficult to treat. Warning signs to look out for include:
Delays in Diagnosis or Treatment
Delays in diagnosing or treating cancer can have serious consequences. If you’ve experienced rescheduled appointments, postponed tests, or slow communication about results, you may have grounds for legal action.
Misinterpretation of Test Results
Misinterpretation of lab work or scans can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. In some cases, it may also lead to ineffective or unnecessary care. If your doctors failed to identify your cancer early on, you may be able to hold them responsible for its progression.
Failure to Order Appropriate Screenings
Doctors are expected to recommend screenings based on your risk factors. Missing or delaying tests can prevent early cancer detection. In addition, neglecting family history or lifestyle risks may result in inadequate testing. You have a right to proper testing for cancer.
Ignoring or Dismissing Symptoms
Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, unusual lumps, or persistent pain should never be ignored. Dismissed symptoms can lead to significant delays in diagnosing serious conditions like cancer. Lack of proper intervention can also allow cancer to progress.
Inadequate Communication Between Medical Providers
Communication breakdowns among your healthcare team can contribute to missed or delayed diagnoses. Lost or incomplete records can delay or compromise care, and conflicting information can lead to incorrect treatment decisions.
Your health shouldn’t suffer because of your doctors’ poor communication.
Receiving the Wrong Type or Dose of Medication
Errors in prescriptions or dosage can have severe consequences. Cancer treatments require precise management, and mistakes can worsen your condition. If you’ve received the wrong type or dose of medication, you may be able to take legal action.
Discovery of Cancer At an Advanced Stage
When cancer is diagnosed late, it may indicate a prior medical oversight. Late detection often requires more aggressive treatment and limits your options. It can also lower your chances of recovery.
Lack of Informed Consent
You have the right to understand your treatments, their risks, and alternatives. If you’ve been rushed into signing consent forms or kept in the dark about a treatment’s complications or options, you may have legal recourse for your cancer.
Types of Cancer Caused by Negligence
Certain types of cancer are more likely to stem from medical negligence since they require early detection and proper monitoring. These types include:
- Breast cancer: Delayed mammograms or misread imaging can result in late-stage diagnosis.
- Colon cancer: Failure to recommend colonoscopies can allow polyps to turn cancerous.
- Lung cancer: Ignoring respiratory symptoms or failing to order CT scans can delay diagnosis.
- Prostate cancer: Misinterpreted PSA tests can cause a missed opportunity for early treatment.
- Skin cancer: Overlooking suspicious moles or growths can allow melanoma to spread.
Medical professionals are expected to follow certain standards when it comes to screening for these conditions. Failing to meet these standards can constitute negligence.
What to Do If Your Cancer Is Caused by Negligence
If you suspect medical negligence played a role in the development of your cancer, you should:
- Gather medical records: Collect all test results, reports, and communications related to your diagnosis and treatment.
- Seek a second opinion: Another doctor can identify where errors may have occurred.
- Avoid discussing your case with insurers: Anything you say may be used to minimize your claim.
- Consult a malpractice attorney: Our lawyers can review your case and determine whether negligence caused you harm.
Why Choose Anidjar & Levine?
At Anidjar & Levine, our medical malpractice lawyers understand how devastating it is to learn that your cancer may have been caused or worsened by negligence. We have a strong track record of holding hospitals, doctors, and specialists accountable for preventable medical errors.
We treat every case with the urgency it deserves. In addition, you don’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you. Our team is ready to get the answers and justice you deserve.
Get Help from a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical errors related to cancer diagnosis or treatment can have life-altering consequences. If you suspect that negligence caused or worsened your condition, a medical malpractice lawyer from Anidjar & Levine can make sure the right parties are held accountable.
Book a free consultation to find out how we can help you get justice.
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