Failure to Diagnose Cancer

Cancer, like many illnesses, is most easily treated when caught early on. A failure to properly diagnose cancer in a timely manner can result in devastating consequences and may ultimately cause the patient his or her life. In many cases, a failure to diagnose cancer is the result if inadequate care that constitutes medical malpractice. If a doctor negligently failed to diagnose or misdiagnosed your cancer you have a right to seek compensation for any damages caused by the error. The Cape Cod medical malpractice lawyers of the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, have more than 150 years of collective experience representing area residents who have suffered injuries due to medical negligence, as well as other injuries and accidents. Our seasoned legal team has successfully recovered numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.

Each type of cancer is diagnosed based on different criteria, but most cancers are diagnosed through a series of blood tests and imaging. Numerous factors can lead to a doctor’s failure to diagnose a cancer. A doctor may dismiss a patient’s symptoms or concerns as inconsequential, rather than investigating the cause of any symptoms that may be indicators of cancer. In some cases, a doctor will misinterpret the results of a blood test or fail to follow up on an abnormal result to determine the cause of the abnormality. Additionally, a doctor may fail to recognize a tumor on an x-ray or MRI. Regardless of the cause, a failure to diagnose cancer almost always results in a significantly increased risk of harm to the patient, and any doctor that fails to properly diagnose a cancer should be held accountable.

Under Massachusetts law, an injured party seeking damages due to medical malpractice must first show the existence of a doctor patient relationship. After the relationship is sufficiently established, the injured party must show that the doctor did not adhere to good medical practice and the party was injured due to the doctor’s substandard care. To prove a doctor did not adhere to good medical practice, the injured party must demonstrate the accepted standard of care for a typical qualified doctor in his or her area of specialty.

In almost all medical malpractice cases, one or more experts are needed. First, an expert is needed to explain the relevant standard of care, and the manner in which the doctor deviated from the standard of care. A second expert may be needed to show that the deviation resulted in the injured party’s harm, and therefore, the doctor should be responsible for any damages caused by the deviation. Medical malpractice cases are often complex and require adept handling. If you were harmed by a doctor’s failure to diagnose your cancer, a skilled medical malpractice attorney can assist you in your pursuit of damages.

In Massachusetts, anyone wishing to seek compensation for harm caused by medical malpractice must file their claim within three years of the date of harm. If you suffered harm due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose your cancer, you may be entitled to recover the cost of your past medical expenses and the cost of any future medical treatment. In many cases, you may also be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering caused by your delayed diagnosis. If you suffered the loss of a loved one due to a failure to diagnose cancer, you may be able to recover damages in a wrongful death claim.

A delay in a cancer diagnoses can be catastrophically detrimental to a person’s health, and in many cases, can result in an untimely death. If you or a loved one suffered damages due to a physician’s failure to diagnose cancer, a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you develop a plan for seeking compensation from the responsible health care providers and hospitals. At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, we are mindful of the devastating emotional and financial impact caused by medical errors, and will work diligently to help you pursue compensation to ease the burdens caused by your harm. Our skill and experience in handling medical malpractice and other injury cases in Massachusetts has allowed us to obtain several verdicts and settlements in the millions. We represent parties in Cape Cod and are also available for consultations in Hyannis and Plymouth. Contact us at (888) 262-6664 or through our online form to schedule a meeting. Nós Falamos Português.