Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorneys in Chicago

A cancer diagnosis will touch nearly everyone in some shape or form within their lifetime. Whether it is you, a friend, or a family member who is affected, the diagnosis is never easy to receive. Unfortunately, cancer misdiagnoses are far too common. 

If you or someone you love was misdiagnosed, a Chicago cancer misdiagnosis lawyer from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can assist you during this critical time. 

How Can a Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer Help Me?

By consulting with a cancer misdiagnosis lawyer in Chicago after discovering the error, you can be confident your case will be appropriately handled while you focus on your treatment and recovery. Your attorney will determine whether you have a claim for compensation related to your doctor’s negligence in misdiagnosing your cancer. 

A cancer misdiagnosis attorney can: 

  • Review the facts and circumstances of your case
  • Obtain medical records and other evidence 
  • Assess potential liability 
  • Handle the legal process for you 
  • File a lawsuit related to your cancer misdiagnosis, if necessary

Contact our cancer misdiagnosis attorneys in Chicago today to learn more about how we can help.

How Often Do Cancer Misdiagnoses Happen?

A recent study published in the National Library of Medicine found that missed cancer diagnoses accounted for 46 percent of primary care diagnostic errors in the reviewed cases. Despite this staggering figure, very little funding is allocated to diagnostic errors. If you or a loved one is facing a late-stage cancer diagnosis because your cancer was misdiagnosed, you need an experienced cancer medical misdiagnoses lawyer on your side. 

Why Do Cancer Misdiagnoses Happen?

Despite advancements in cancer research and testing, it’s still possible for doctors to make careless mistakes. Common reasons for cancer misdiagnoses include:

  • Failure to diagnose – A doctor can fail to diagnose a patient’s cancer when they do not recognize cancer symptoms in their early stages. 
  • Wrong diagnosis – A doctor can misdiagnose cancer by diagnosing the patient with the wrong type of cancer or a different disease altogether. This is a critical error because the prescribed treatment plan will not be appropriate for the patient’s condition. 
  • False positive – Sometimes, a doctor can misdiagnose cancer by diagnosing the patient with cancer that the patient does not have. Treatment can have devastating consequences since there is no cancer to treat. 
  • Delayed diagnosis – If the doctor doesn’t diagnose cancer promptly, that’s also a form of misdiagnosis. The delay in treatment could result in serious consequences to the patient and may even be fatal.

How Common Are Cancer Misdiagnoses? 

Missed cancer diagnoses are unfortunately common, with approximately 11% of all cancers being misdiagnosed. This statistic demonstrates that despite the knowledge and expertise of doctors today, the possibility of human error remains, which can have life-altering effects on patients and their families. 

What Are the Most Common Cancers That Are Misdiagnosed?

Although misdiagnosis occurs in many types of cancer, the most frequent errors arise in cases involving:

  • Lung cancer – Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the most deadly form of cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A misdiagnosis can be fatal. 
  • Pancreatic cancer – Pancreatic cancer is often misdiagnosed because of its vague symptoms, which can be confused with other conditions such as gallbladder disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 
  • Breast cancer – If the doctor lacks specialization in breast cancer, the risk of misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis is significant.  
  • Colorectal cancer – Much like pancreatic cancer, the varying nature of colon cancer symptoms contributes to the risk of misdiagnosis. Before receiving a colon cancer diagnosis, patients may receive diagnoses for IBS, colitis, or diverticulitis. 
  • Cervical cancer – False negatives in pap smears are often to blame for misdiagnoses of cervical cancer. The test or the doctor’s negligence in interpreting the results can result in a false negative.   

How Can Negligence Lead to a Misdiagnosis of Cancer?

The treating doctor’s negligence is established by comparing their actions or inactions to the standard of reasonable care in that field. In other words, would a doctor of similar qualifications, experience, and specialization have acted in the same or similar way or reached the same or similar conclusion? For example, medical negligence might be established when the treating doctor: 

  • Fails to obtain an accurate and complete medical history from the patient 
  • Ignores certain patient complaints or reported symptoms 
  • Fails to recognize symptoms consistent with the presence of cancer 
  • Orders the wrong tests or labs 
  • Misinterprets test results 
  • Rules out cancer because of the patient’s age 

How Does Failure to Diagnose Cancer Affect Patients? 

Cancer misdiagnoses can have life-threatening consequences. Because those patients who receive an early-stage diagnosis have a higher survival rate, early detection and an accurate diagnosis are crucial.  

Failure to diagnose cancer can affect what treatment the patient may receive. For example, the patient could be required to undergo a painful and costly course of treatment instead of a less invasive treatment plan that could have been used if the cancer had been detected early. Failure to timely diagnose or misdiagnose cancer may also mean the cancer will spread, which decreases the patient’s chance of survival. Tragically, failing to properly diagnose cancer means the patient’s life may be cut short. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for Cancer Misdiagnoses?

You may be able to file a claim against the doctor or any other party that shares responsibility for the cancer misdiagnosis. This may include a nurse or pathologist who reviewed test results. In addition to these individuals, your lawyer will advise you whether the company or hospital that employs the medical professional should be named in your cancer misdiagnosis lawsuit. 

What Damages Can Be Recovered from a Misdiagnosis of Cancer?

A cancer misdiagnosis not only impacts your health. It can also significantly impact your financial stability and future. By pursuing a medical malpractice claim related to a cancer misdiagnosis, you may receive compensation for the following: 

Call a Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney in Chicago Today

A cancer misdiagnosis can be complex and confusing. If you believe a medical professional was responsible for your or your loved one’s cancer misdiagnosis, you need a knowledgeable and experienced cancer misdiagnosis attorney from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.