Knowledgeable and Experienced Guidance

Are physicians liable for failing to diagnose cancer?

On Behalf of | Oct 28, 2015 | Failure To Diagnose |

Unfortunately, too many North Carolina residents receive a cancer diagnosis each year. Cancer is a terrible illness that profoundly affects its victims and their family members. The good news is that modern medicine is more equipped than ever to offer cancer victims hope for the future with advances in treatment plans and drugs. Sometimes, cancer can even be eliminated or put into remission, returning the patient to health and vitality.

In order for these modern treatments to provide cancer victims the best chance of recovery, a proper diagnosis must be made as early as possible. Sadly, many cancer patients are not given the best treatment because the physician failed to diagnose the patient properly or in time. There are many reasons a doctor may fail to diagnose cancer, some of them avoidable altogether.

Perhaps the patient’s physician becomes distracted pursuing other diagnoses or maybe the doctor simply does not give the patient the proper tests or treatment. Other times, a doctor may deliver improper treatment for a non-cancer related illness that makes the patient sicker. In some cases, these treatments can actually increase the risk of contracting cancer.

It is safe to say that no doctor wants to make his or her patient sicker, but that does not stop it from happening. As a victim, it is more than okay to want doctors who misdiagnose to be held accountable for their action or inaction. Medical malpractice lawsuits are one such way a wronged patient can seek justice.

Talking with an attorney serving North Carolina residents can open doors for victims of medical malpractice. Whether you are considering a malpractice claim or simply wish to discuss your case with someone knowledgeable, a malpractice attorney can help you make sense of your unique situation.

Source: FindLaw, “Failed/Erroneous Diagnosis and Treatment,” accessed Oct. 28, 2015