Minnesota Failure to Diagnose Cancer Lawyer
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, with over 1.6 million people receiving a diagnosis every year and almost 600,000 people dying from the condition. Early detection is vital for many different types of cancer. When a person receives treatment right away, they often have a very good chance of recovery.
Unfortunately, not all cancers are diagnosed right away and when that is the case, patients suffer immeasurable harm. In the most tragic of cases, they cannot beat the illness and it is fatal for them. If you or someone you love has been hurt by a failure to diagnose cancer, our Minnesota failure to diagnose cancer lawyer can help you claim the financial compensation you deserve.
How Does Failure to Diagnose Cancer Occur?
There are many negligent acts that can result in a failure to diagnose cancer. The most common of these are as follows:
- Failure to properly identify the patient’s risk factors, such as a family history
- Failure to properly screen a patient for cancer, such as performing a colonoscopy
- Failing to recognize certain symptoms, such as abdominal pain or bloody stools
Sadly, the above are just a few ways in which a failure to diagnose cancer occurs. Any time a doctor acts negligently and that results in a cancer misdiagnosis or failed diagnosis, a Minnesota medical malpractice lawyer can review a case to determine what caused it.
What Types of Cancers Respond Well to Early Treatment?
Some types of cancers respond better to early treatment than others. These include:
- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Testicle cancer
- Kidney cancer
Sadly, not all cancers respond well to early treatment. These include ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and some other types of small cell cancer. When a cancer is considered treatable, early diagnosis is crucial so serious, long-term harm, including death, can be prevented. An unreasonable delay or a failure to diagnose cancer can result in unnecessary treatments, additional expenses, and a lower survival rate. All of these losses can form the basis of a medical malpractice claim.
Lost Chance and a Failure to Diagnose Cancer
Since the Minnesota Supreme Court made a landmark decision in 2013, the state has allowed for “lost chance” lawsuits. In the decision, the court stated that when a patient loses the chance to attempt early treatments that may show promise, that in itself is a loss of value. This is due to the fact that the patient may have lost a chance to be cured, to survive, or otherwise achieve a better outcome. As such, anyone harmed by a lost chance to try that early treatment can include the loss within their medical malpractice claim.
Lost chances are not involved in every medical malpractice claim, but there are times when such a loss is relevant. A Minnesota medical malpractice lawyer can review the facts of your case to determine which damages you are entitled to so you obtain the full and fair settlement you deserve.
Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Minnesota Can Help with Your Case
Medical malpractice lawsuits are difficult and lengthy processes, particularly when you are suffering from a serious medical mistake. At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our Minnesota medical malpractice lawyers will handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on getting better. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.