Failure to Diagnose Cancer
Cancer is a fast-moving and dangerous disease that, if left untreated, poses a great risk to the patient and may even be fatal. A delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis could ultimately delay a patient’s access to proper treatment, which allows the cancer time to progress and spread. If a patient had received timely treatment, they may gave been able to eliminate the cancer.
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Last Updated:
March 21, 2025
If a doctor fails to diagnose cancer and subsequently fails to provide the proper treatment, there are grounds to pursue legal action, including if the following took place:
- The doctor skipped certain necessary exams or tests
- Test result were lost or incorrect
- The patient’s medical information was misplaced or mistaken with that of another patient
- Delayed testing or in sending test results
Why Is Early Diagnosis Key?
Due to the aggressive nature of the disease, cancer moves through the body with great speed and force. As cancer progresses through the different stages, symptoms become more severe and potentially fatal. The farther along the cancer is in the stages, the more invasive and dangerous the treatments become. Therefore, the sooner one can receive treatment, the better, as it minimizes the risk of lasting side effects and increases the chances of the patient’s survival.
Common Errors That Results In A Failure To Diagnose
Failure to diagnose is not only the lack of a diagnosis but can include other aspects of medical negligence such as misdiagnosis, delays in testing, and failure to provide proper treatment within an appropriate amount of time.
Common errors resulting in a failure to diagnose cancer include:
- Failure to order proper testing
- Delay in testing or sending results
- Lost or misread test results and scans
- Failure to recognize and follow-up on common symptoms
- Failure to obtain proper patient information and/or history
Do I Have A Case?
Doctors are responsible for identifying symptoms and promptly diagnosing patients. Cancer is a life-threatening disease that moves quickly through the body. Negligence on behalf of a doctor in these cases can have dramatic repercussions. Understanding what is expected as a standard for medical care and diagnostics is critical when searching for answers. If you feel as though your doctor has been negligent and has performed any medical errors, you may have ground to pursue legal action.
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Notable Case Results
$300,000
Client was driving on Douglas Avenue in North Providence. Defendant failed to stop and t bone our client. Our client was rushed to Fatima Hospital. Suffering from shoulder pain which needed surgery. The defendants insurance company tried to say the injuries were pre-existing but our firm was able to get medical opinions that proved the injury was from the accident. Allowing us to settle the file.
$125,000
Client was getting off of 95 near Roger Williams Zoo when the defendant tried switching lanes hitting the rear and side of our clients car. Client had several pre exisiting health issues and the insurance companied denied her injuries. Our attorney was able to relate the injuries were caused by the accident by getting older medical records.
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