Cancer Misdiagnosis
Experienced Tampa Bay metro area Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyers
Chadwick & Chadwick serves clients who believe they have a claim for cancer misdiagnosis in Tampa Bay area including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Manatee counties and throughout west central Florida.
Each of the more than 200 different types of cancer is identified by where the tumor originates within the body. If identified early, many cancers have a cure rate of close to 100%. Failure to diagnose cancer, or misdiagnosing the symptoms can deprive you of critical medical treatment that may not be available later if the cancer progresses.
Unfortunately, without prompt treatment, the cancer can progress, making it harder to treat or completely untreatable. This may lead to serious complication, disfigurement, and even fatality.
In 2014 it is estimated that 1.7 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed, of which more than 12% are initially misdiagnosed or delayed in diagnosis.
What may Lead to Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis of Cancer?
If you went to a hospital or a doctor with cancer symptoms, what might cause your doctor to incorrectly diagnosed your medical condition or send you home when you actually have a serious illness?
- Failure to perform a diagnostic test when one is needed
- Misread CT-scans, X-rays, PET scans, MRIs or Blood tests
- Test results misinterpreted
- Reading the wrong test results
- Failure to follow up on test results with patient
- Inability to recognize a tumor
- Procedure performed incorrectly
- Blotched lab samples, including contamination
- Malfunction of technology
- Failure to refer patient to correct specialist
Cancer misdiagnoses commonly result from a series of process breakdowns within the medical care system.
Who is Responsible for a Cancer Misdiagnosis?
One or more medical care providers may be responsible for misdiagnosing cancer, including those who practice in the west central counties of Florida:
- Primary car physicians
- Radiologists
- Pathologists
- Dentists
- Dermatologists
General practitioners and emergency room personnel do the majority of treatments rendered in the U.S. It is critical that they make an appropriate referral to a specialist when they encounter a complex condition, such as cancer – the second most common cause of death in the nation – accounting for nearly one in every four deaths.
Cancer Misdiagnosis Timely Solutions
If you received care from any Tampa Bay physician who failed to recognize symptoms, or if any mistakes were made with your lab test results, it is imperative that you have your records reviewed by an experienced attorney in the Tampa area who focuses on medical malpractice claims.
Chadwick & Chadwick, cancer misdiagnosis lawyers, can help you determine your options in a no-obligation call, 813-264-1500. Experts to see if cancer should have been diagnosed earlier can review your surrounding circumstances. If you are entitled to compensation, resources are ready to protect the interests of your family and you.
Given the progressive nature of most cancers, prompt diagnosis and treatment can have a substantial impact on your ability to survive the disease. If cancer is diagnosed several months after symptoms and complaints were first presented to your doctor, cancer treatments may be less likely to be successful.
Because Florida has strict statutes of limitations for medical malpractice cases, and because timely treatment is so important for cancer patients, it is vital that you act immediately to protect your rights.
Medical malpractice cases are complex and often take a long time to resolve because of the litigation involved. It is important to call Chadwick & Chadwick at our toll free number now, 813-264-1500. We look forward to helping you achieve the best results possible.
