Filing a Colorectal Cancer Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis Lawsuit
When someone is feeling ill or experiencing concerning symptoms, they rely on medical professionals to diagnose and treat the condition. Unfortunately, failure to diagnose and delayed diagnosis are common problems among medical patients. Doctors and medical personnel routinely rush patients through medical appointments, neglect to fully listen to a patient’s concerns, and write symptoms off as psychosomatic.
When serious diseases, such as cancer, are present, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can be catastrophic. Medical malpractice attorneys at Foley Law Firm assist clients from Scranton, Stroudsburg, and Wilkes-Barre, PA, in filing a colorectal cancer misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis lawsuit to pursue financial compensation for damages.
Colorectal Cancer on the Rise Among Young Adults
One of the reasons that conditions like colorectal cancer get misdiagnosed is that many medical professionals have preconceived notions about the demographics of patients who develop illnesses and diseases. Cancer does not discriminate based on age. Colorectal cancer, in particular, is on the rise among young adults.
As reported by Yale Medicine, doctors are seeing an increase in colorectal cancer among Generation Z, Millennials, and Generation X, people ranging in age from their mid-20s to late 50s. The cause for the increase in colorectal cancer among young adults is unknown, but medical professionals suspect sedentary lifestyles and other lifestyle choices may be to blame.
Yale Medicine reports that colorectal cancer is usually highly treatable but notes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Failure to Diagnose or Misdiagnosis
Even when patients report symptoms typically associated with colorectal cancer, the condition can be misdiagnosed or delayed until the disease reaches more advanced stages. There are several causes of misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, including:
- Insufficient time with patients
- Failure to order appropriate tests
- Misreading of test results
- Failure to refer patients to an appropriate specialist
- Miscommunication between medical personnel
- Failure to follow up with the patient
The Importance of a Second Opinion
Society is taught to trust the medical field with their health concerns. However, medical professionals do not always get things right. Getting a second opinion is beneficial in many circumstances. We recommend that people consider seeking a second opinion when:
- Symptoms seem too severe for the initial diagnosis
- Symptoms persist despite treatment recommendations
- The doctor recommends surgery or an experimental treatment
- You are diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness or disease
Do I Have a Medical Malpractice Claim?
Patients are often unsure of their legal rights regarding misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose. Our lawyers are happy to evaluate the details of a case to determine if filing a medical malpractice claim is appropriate. To file a successful misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis claim, the plaintiff must be able to establish the elements of medical malpractice:
- There was a doctor-patient relationship between the plaintiff and defendant (the defendant had a duty of care to the plaintiff)
- The defendant breached their duty of care (based on the accepted standard of care, the plaintiff must demonstrate that a similarly trained medical professional would have acted differently when presented with the same circumstances)
- The plaintiff suffered injuries as a direct result of the defendant’s neglect
- The plaintiff suffered physical, emotional, or financial damages
Potential Medical Malpractice Damages
Failure to diagnose and delayed diagnosis can be catastrophic for patients. Colorectal cancer is a progressive condition that is more difficult to treat as it advances. When a medical professional misdiagnoses or delays diagnosing colorectal cancer, patients may suffer more advanced symptoms, require more invasive treatment, or the disease may be fatal. Depending on the circumstances of each case, our medical malpractice lawyers assist clients in pursuing compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Prolonged pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Wrongful death damages (rewarded to surviving family members if the patient dies)
Contact Foley Law Firm
Medical professionals have a duty of care to their patients. When misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis results from medical malpractice, patients may be due financial compensation for resulting losses. If you suspect that you or a loved one is a victim of medical malpractice, lawyers at the Foley Law Firm can help you consider your legal options. Contact our law firm to schedule a case review.