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When you are concerned about your health, consulting a healthcare professional might ease your mind. Physicians can perform examinations and tests to rule out serious illnesses. If a physician determines that you are sick, he or she can advise you on the best course of treatment. Did you know that medical professionals have a legal obligation to practice to a certain standard? This includes the need to diagnose quickly and correctly.
With cancer, every day counts. Cancer causes every 1 in 4 deaths in the United States. A failure to diagnose this deadly disease can spell disaster for you or a loved one. Studies show that early detection and diagnosis strongly correlate with cancer survival rates. The longer your cancer goes undiagnosed, the worse your chances of survival are.
Either a cancer misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis could mean the difference between life and death for a patient, and Marasco & Nesselbush are ready to work for your rights if you have been treated negligently this way. Our Rhode Island personal injury lawyers are dedicated to advocating the rights of cancer misdiagnosis victims and their families.
To learn how a lawyer can pursue compensation for your delayed cancer diagnosis case, contact us to schedule a free case consultation today. The team at Marasco & Nesselbush are available to take your call at the time that is best for you.
Understanding the Medical Standard of Care in Rhode Island
A Rhode Island healthcare professional holds specific responsibilities regarding each patient. Medical malpractice claims protect cancer patients when doctors fail to live up to their duties, such as:
- Sharing information: Doctors should communicate current, relevant information with patients. Our attorneys will investigate to learn whether your doctors let you know about the potential consequences of medical procedures and the side effects of drugs.
- Advising: Doctors should explain treatment options. Our lawyers understand the importance of ordering and interpreting test results to diagnose serious illnesses.
- Supervising care: If a doctor delegates a task, it should be to an appropriately trained healthcare worker. Attorneys can help you take legal action if there was a failure to properly monitor or supervise your treatment.
Failure to diagnose cancer could mean that your doctor neglected an important legal duty. Our experienced lawyers can investigate to determine whether your delayed diagnosis could form the basis of a medical malpractice claim under Rhode Island law.
For a free medical malpractice case analysis, send your name, email, and phone number via our contact form. A representative of our law firm will get in touch with you soon.
Medical Malpractice Cases And Commonly Diagnosed Types Of Cancer
As a patient, you deserve care and attention. A failure to diagnose cancer can result in devastating consequences. If a Rhode Island doctor fails to provide industry-standard treatment, a lawyer can help you take legal action for medical malpractice to hold the liable party responsible.
Since 1999, our dedicated attorneys have represented people like you whose lives have been affected by a cancer misdiagnosis. Medical malpractice claims involving a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis are often associated with these types of cancer.
Breast cancer
One study found that physical examinations might not be sensitive enough to provide an accurate breast cancer diagnosis. Breast exams, especially for small tumors or in young women, should be performed by expert clinicians to avoid cancer misdiagnosis.
Cervical cancer
Not every method of diagnosing cervical cancer is equally effective. About 19 percent of women administered an HPV-only cervical screen were misdiagnosed. A lawyer can determine whether your doctor’s failure to diagnose your cancer was related to his or her selection of tests.
Colon cancer
Some 65 percent of the American population is at risk of developing colon cancer. From age 50 onward, men and women should start getting screened for colon and rectal cancer. An experienced physician should find and remove abnormal growths. A misdiagnosis could give these growths time to become cancerous, resulting in tragic results for the patient.
Lung cancer
Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) detects lung cancer, the third-most-common cancer in the US. Qualified doctors know collecting medical history is essential since risk groups include past and current smokers between 50 and 80 years of age.
Lung cancer screenings can lead to false-positive results, resulting in unnecessary follow-up tests and surgeries. The CDC reports that “radiation from repeated LDCT can cause cancer in otherwise healthy people.”
A doctor must be discerning, then, about who should undergo screening tests. Even people at high risk because of their smoking history and age should be excluded from testing if they have other serious health problems or they are unwilling (or unable) to have lung surgery.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Anyone can get it, but certain groups are at higher risk than others. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas – the two most prevalent types of skin cancer – are very curable. The third, melanoma, is harder to treat and causes the most deaths.
There is no standard medical test for skin cancer. Marasco & Nesselbush’s attorneys are ready to help if a failure to diagnose skin cancers like melanoma occurred because a doctor missed clear warning signs, including:
- New growths
- Sores that do not heal
- Asymmetrical moles
- Irregular spots
- Moles larger than the size of a pea
- Blemishes that change or evolve over time
Establish An Attorney-Client Relationship With The Law Firm That Cares
At Marasco & Nesselbush, our trustworthy attorneys understand how crucial high-quality care is. From lawyers to doctors, every professional should respect your rights and treat you as deserved.
If you would need legal advice from experienced medical malpractice lawyers who put your needs first, call Marasco & Nesselbush. For a free legal consultation, contact us via email to tell us about your misdiagnosis.
Injured and not sure what your case is worth? Find out for free.
Talk To An Experienced Ri Injury Lawyer About Your Amputation Claim
No one can undo the devastation of losing a limb or other body part in an accident, but Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, can help you obtain compensation that ensures your financial security in the years ahead. We’ll work hard to make sure you get every dollar of insurance money you are due from those who were responsible for your injury.
Contact us now for a free claim review and consultation with no strings attached.
- Medline Plus – Amputation – traumatic
