Doctors diagnose cancer through meticulous examination and testing. However, this remains a complex and devastating disease despite advancements in medical technology and research. Misdiagnoses often occur, leading to profound consequences.
If this has happened to you or someone you love, a New Jersey cancer misdiagnosis lawyer with Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., is ready to help.
Researchers estimate that more than 250,000 people die yearly due to medical errors, making malpractice one of the leading causes of death in the US.
Further, more than 100,000 people in our country die due to medical misdiagnosis. These errors occur when a doctor either misses a condition, makes the wrong diagnosis, or fails to diagnose an issue in time. Nearly 40 percent of misdiagnoses involve cancer.
Cancer misdiagnosis refers to the erroneous identification or classification of cancer or failure to detect cancer altogether. Misdiagnosis can occur at various stages of the diagnostic process, including misinterpretation of symptoms, inaccurate imaging or pathology results, or overlooking signs indicative of cancer.
This critical error can lead to delayed treatment, inappropriate treatment, unnecessary procedures, and disease progression to advanced stages, significantly impacting patient outcomes and quality of life.
Misdiagnosed cancers present a significant challenge in healthcare, often leading to delayed treatment and adverse outcomes. Several types of cancer are prone to misdiagnosis due to various factors such as overlapping symptoms, atypical presentations, or limitations in diagnostic techniques.
Understanding these common types of misdiagnosed cancers is essential for improving early detection and reducing the burden of misdiagnosis. Here are some types of cancer medical professionals routinely misdiagnose.
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed cancers, primarily due to the complexity of interpreting mammograms and biopsy results. Radiologists may misinterpret mammographic findings, leading to false-negative or false-positive results. In addition, benign conditions such as fibroadenomas or cysts can mimic the appearance of cancerous lesions, resulting in unnecessary biopsies or delayed diagnosis of malignancy.
Lung cancer is notorious for its nonspecific symptoms and resemblance to other respiratory conditions, contributing to diagnostic challenges. Chronic cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain may be attributed to smoking-related lung disease or infections, leading to delays in diagnosing lung cancer.
Furthermore, small pulmonary nodules detected in imaging studies can be challenging to characterize accurately, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis or delayed detection of malignancy.
Colorectal cancer misdiagnosis often occurs during colonoscopy procedures, where doctors may miss or improperly evaluate polyps or tumors. Inadequate bowel preparation, technical limitations, or inexperienced endoscopists can compromise the accuracy of colonoscopies, resulting in missed opportunities for early cancer detection.
Also, symptoms such as rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits may be dismissed as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome, delaying the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
Prostate cancer misdiagnosis commonly stems from the limitations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and the variability in PSA levels among individuals. Elevated PSA levels may prompt unnecessary biopsies, leading to overdiagnosis of indolent tumors or missed diagnoses of aggressive prostate cancer. Doctors may also misinterpret benign conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can elevate PSA levels and contribute to diagnostic errors.
Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its vague symptoms and lack of specific screening tests. As a result, doctors frequently diagnose this disease at advanced stages when it has already spread beyond the ovaries. Symptoms such as abdominal bloating, pelvic pain, and urinary urgency are nonspecific and can be attributed to benign gynecological conditions, leading to delays in diagnosing ovarian cancer.
The statute of limitations for your personal injury case is 2 years. Exceeding it can severely limit or completely invalidate your legal options for seeking compensation. Act swiftly to ensure your rights are preserved and explore your legal recourse before time runs out, otherwise, the likelihood of pursuing your case successfully may diminish considerably. However, if your claim is against a public entity, your timeframe can be significantly shorter.
A New Jersey cancer misdiagnosis lawyer can play a pivotal role in advocating for you or someone close to you if medical malpractice by a doctor has caused you harm. Your medical malpractice attorney New Jersey from Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C. will ensure you receive the legal support you need to have the best chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve. The following is a brief look at some of our services and how we work to prove your claim.
Your New Jersey cancer misdiagnosis lawyer will begin by thoroughly evaluating the case details. We’ll examine medical records, diagnostic tests, and other relevant documentation to determine the strength of the claim. This initial assessment will help your lawyer understand the extent of the misdiagnosis, identify potential legal issues, and develop a strategy for pursuing compensation.
A crucial aspect of proving your case is gathering evidence to support the misdiagnosis claim. This process may involve obtaining additional medical records, consulting with expert witnesses such as oncologists or pathologists, and collecting testimony from healthcare professionals involved in your care. By compiling comprehensive evidence, your lawyer will work to strengthen your case and increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
Cancer misdiagnosis cases often require specialized medical knowledge to determine whether the healthcare provider committed malpractice. We’ll collaborate with medical experts who can evaluate the diagnostic process, assess the accuracy of the diagnosis, and provide insights into whether the misdiagnosis contributed to harm or an adverse outcome. Expert testimony is often crucial in establishing negligence and causation in these cases.
Many cancer misdiagnosis cases are resolved through settlement negotiations rather than going to trial. Your New Jersey cancer misdiagnosis lawyer will negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company or legal representatives to seek a fair settlement that adequately compensates you for your losses. Negotiation skills are essential in reaching a favorable outcome that meets your needs while avoiding the time and expense of prolonged litigation.
While it’s likely your case will end with a fair settlement, there is still a chance the insurer will refuse to make an equitable offer. Your New Jersey cancer misdiagnosis lawyer will take the case to court if that happens.
During the trial, your attorney will present the case. They’ll present evidence, examine witnesses, and make legal arguments to establish the healthcare provider’s negligence and the resulting harm you suffered. Litigation requires strong advocacy skills and a deep understanding of medical malpractice law.
You can count on your New Jersey cancer misdiagnosis lawyer to provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the legal process. We’ll explain the complexities of the legal system, answer questions, and provide reassurance during a challenging and emotional time.
The purpose of taking legal action is to recover compensation for your damages, which are the financial losses you’ve incurred due to the misdiagnosis. These damages include the following:
A Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C. New Jersey cancer misdiagnosis lawyer will fight passionately for your rights. We’ll work tirelessly to hold the healthcare provider accountable for its negligence and pursue fair compensation for your harm. Our attorneys make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer misdiagnosis through our expertise, dedication, and commitment to justice.
If you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact us online or call (201) 588-1500.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partners, Jeffrey W. Varcadipane & Dawn M. Pinnisi, with more than 40 years of combined legal experience as personal injury attorneys.
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