On Behalf of Palacios Law Group
When a Nassau County area resident hears that they have cancer their entire world can come crashing down. Finding out you have cancer is one of the worst things a person can go through. There can be so many questions about what is about to happen and uncertainty for the future. But if the cancer was missed altogether it can be even worse.
A misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cancer can be devastating for a person. The treatment of cancer in its earliest stage possible is very important for a patient’s outcome. Unfortunately, these medical errors happen all too frequently. Up to twenty percent of cancer diagnosis are missed, delayed or incorrect. If a person’s cancer is not diagnosed correctly it can mean the difference between life or death.
There are many reasons why a cancer may be missed by a medical professional. They may not take a detailed family history or complete a thorough exam. They may misinterpret a patient’s symptoms or don’t screen for cancer despite symptoms indicating it could be a cause. A medical professional can also misread test results including an MRI, CT scan, x-ray, etc. There can also be communication breakdowns among the medical staff.
Any of these situations can be devastating to a patient. If the cancer is not diagnosed and treatment starts later their outcome may not be as good. If a person believes their cancer was not diagnosed correctly or was missed completely, they may want to speak with a legal professional who is skilled in medical malpractice. An attorney can review medical records and consult with medical professionals to help determine what happened. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.