Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis
Medical professionals are valued as some of the most essential workers in the country. Doctors and healthcare providers treat millions of patients and save countless lives. Unfortunately, when medical professionals are negligent in their care, it can have devastating consequences for the patient.
One of the most common forms of medical malpractice is failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis can lead to prolonged illness, advanced health complications, or death. Individuals in the Irvine, CA, area who have suffered physical, emotional, and financial damages related to breast cancer misdiagnosis can work with medical malpractice attorneys Sean M. Burke and Jason N. Argos to hold liable medical professionals accountable for their losses.
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Doctors today have access to the most advanced diagnostic tools. As a result, the rate of breast cancer survival has increased in recent years. The chance of breast cancer survival is directly linked to the stage at which breast cancer is diagnosed. Early detection offers a greater chance of treatment success, which is why it is essential that medical professionals order appropriate testing if there is any suspicion of breast cancer. Tests used to diagnose breast cancer include:
- Manual breast exam
- Mammogram
- Breast ultrasound
- Breast MRI
- Biopsy
How Does Misdiagnosis Occur?
Despite the wide range of diagnostic tests for breast cancer, it is not unusual for the condition to be misdiagnosed, or for diagnosis to be delayed. Unfortunately, breast cancer misdiagnosis is often the result of medical neglect. Common causes of breast cancer misdiagnosis include:
- Failure to order appropriate diagnostic testing
- Misreading of test results
- Errors during the testing process
- Failure to report test results (miscommunication between doctors or between the doctor and patient)
Do I Have a Medical Malpractice Claim?
Medical professionals are not held to a standard of perfection, so a missed breast cancer diagnosis is not necessarily grounds for a medical malpractice claim. However, healthcare providers are expected to deliver care that meets the accepted standard. The accepted standard is the same degree of care that a patient could expect to receive from a similarly trained medical professional who is presented with the same set of circumstances. If that standard has not been met, a medical malpractice claim can be filed.
Anyone who suspects that they have been a victim of medical malpractice should discuss their situation with a medical malpractice attorney. When considering a medical malpractice claim for our Irvine clients, we ask if these key elements of medical neglect are present:
- There was an established doctor/patient relationship
- Provided care fell short of the accepted standard, or was neglectful
- Medical neglect caused injury or harm to the patient
- The patient suffered physical, emotional, and/or financial damages as a result of their injury or illness
Potential Damages in a Medical Malpractice Case
Breast cancer misdiagnosis can lead to a wide range of economic and non-economic losses for our Irvine clients. Depending on the circumstances of each case, medical malpractice damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Costs of ongoing rehabilitation or therapy
- Lost wages and/or loss of wage earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death damages (if misdiagnosis leads to the patient’s death)
Contact Us
If a breast cancer misdiagnosis has caused you or a loved one unnecessary suffering and financial losses, you may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. To learn more about the type of compensation you may be due, contact our law firm online, or call (949) 438-4416 and schedule a consultation with Sean M. Burke or Jason N. Argos.
