What Should I Do If I Was Misdiagnosed With Cancer in Illinois?
According to the CDC, over 1.6 million people learn that they have cancer every year. As the second most common cause of death in the United States, cancer claims the lives of far too many people on an annual basis. However, not everyone who is diagnosed with cancer actually has cancerous cells in their body. Additionally, not everyone who has cancer is diagnosed with cancer upon seeking medical attention for their health concerns. Anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of people who receive a cancer diagnosis eventually learn that they were wrongfully diagnosed.
Whether they were told that they had cancer when they did not or they received a different diagnosis despite having cancer, a misdiagnosis of cancer in any capacity can greatly affect the lives of those who have been misdiagnosed. You may be wondering how there could be any confusion about someone’s medical status, but the reason behind a cancer misdiagnosis often comes down to medical malpractice.
What is a Cancer Misdiagnosis?
A misdiagnosis of cancer is a situation in which a patient is wrongfully diagnosed in a way that involves cancer. This is a vague definition, but that is because a cancer misdiagnosis can take many different forms. Misdiagnoses arise when physicians or healthcare providers either misunderstand, misidentify, or misconstrue the symptoms or test results that a patient is presenting with upon being evaluated.
For instance, one person who is misdiagnosed with cancer may be informed that he or she has cancer, but ultimately, it is discovered that he or she actually does not have cancer. Another example of a cancer misdiagnosis would be an instance in which an individual is evaluated and diagnosed with an illness or disease other than cancer, only to learn later on that they had cancer the entire time.
A delayed diagnosis of cancer is another circumstance that is considered to be a misdiagnosis of cancer. Last but not least, a cancer misdiagnosis may take the form of diagnosing a patient with an incorrect stage of cancer, such as informing a patient they have stage IV cancer when they, in fact, have stage I cancer.
What Causes a Misdiagnosis of Cancer?
A misdiagnosis of cancer is often attributed to medical malpractice. As defined by the Illinois General Assembly, medical malpractice is a situation in which medical professionals do not uphold a standard of care, resulting in negligent behavior that may present as a misdiagnosis. If you received a misdiagnosis of cancer, the best way to approach your circumstances is by reaching out to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in your area.
Contact an Aurora Medical Malpractice Attorney
Medical malpractice cases can be very complex. Due to the medical nature of these cases, a medical expert must provide his or her insight and input regarding the details of the case prior to any suits being filed.
Legal cases are lengthy processes all on their own, but when a medical expert must weigh in on the details of a legal case, the duration of a medical malpractice case can take even longer to unfold. However, speaking with a medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding what to expect when pursuing justice after experiencing a cancer misdiagnosis. Call 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation with a Kane County medical malpractice lawyer at Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C..
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/cancer.htm
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=073500050K2-1704
