Failure to diagnose cancer is among the most common and serious forms of medical negligence. If you suspect that your healthcare provider negligently failed to detect the early signs of cancer, call a Schenectady delayed cancer diagnosis lawyer today to discuss whether you are entitled to financial compensation. A dedicated cancer malpractice lawyer could review the circumstances surrounding your claim and help you determine the best course of action moving forward.
Pursuing a Schenectady Delayed Cancer Lawsuit
An individual’s quality of life, and sometimes survival, could depend on how early a cancer diagnosis is made. A medical provider’s failure to diagnose cancer in a timely manner may result in devastating consequences such as an increase to an advanced stage, a shortened life expectancy, and in some cases, even death. New York Civil Practice Law & Rules § 214-A provides a patient who files a lawsuit for medical malpractice two years and six months from the date of injury to present their case.
However, the law provides an exception for victims of alleged negligent failure to diagnose a malignant tumor or cancer. The time period for filing will only start once they have discovered the tumor or cancer. Provided the alleged wrongdoing occurred no more than seven years prior, the individual could still file a lawsuit for damages.
If the malpractice occurred during a series of continuous, ongoing treatment, the time frame does not begin until the last treatment is finished. Some common examples of medical negligence that could result in a failure to diagnose cancer could include:
- Not referring the patient to medical specialists in a timely manner
- Failing to address the patient’s complaints
- Misinterpreting test results
- Not ordering necessary and correct tests
Common Types of Undiagnosed Cancer and Recoverable Damages
Failure to diagnose cancer could lead to a range of possible outcomes, including the cancer’s progression and death. When the patient survives, a Schenectady lawyer could help them file a delayed cancer diagnosis lawsuit to assist in the victim’s recovery for their past, present, and future financial losses. The victim could be required to adjust to a new way of living with ongoing treatment from competent doctors, counselors, nurses, and therapists, and potentially find themselves unable to return to their pre-cancer way of life, facing chronic pain and suffering and potentially even a decreased life span.
In situations where the patient dies, their family could be left to deal with not only the loss of someone they love, but vast funeral and medical expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of inheritance. A seasoned Schenectady delayed cancer diagnosis attorney could pursue all possible avenues to obtain compensation.
Contact a Schenectady Delayed Cancer Diagnosis Attorney
Victims of delayed cancer diagnoses and their families may grapple with overwhelming financial, emotional, physical, and psychological burdens. When a medical professional misdiagnoses or fails to diagnose cancer occurrences that competent peers would be expected to diagnose properly, and patients suffer or die as a result, those health care providers could be held liable for damages. Call the office today to speak with a Schenectady delayed cancer diagnosis lawyer to start seeking justice for the hardship you have been forced to endure.