Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis
Early detection is the key to improving a patient’s prognosis. That is especially true in cases involving cancer and cervical cancer diagnosis. Finding a disease early can be the difference between life and death in some cancer patients, making your relationship with your doctor vital. Misdiagnosed cervical cancer can erode that trust.
A cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawyer in Chicago with Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can explain medical malpractice cases and your legal options for pursuing valuable compensation for your medical expenses and additional losses. We understand the pain and frustration you feel, and in addition to personalized legal advice, our team provides support and resources to help you forge ahead.
Contact our Chicago office today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Our Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorneys Can Help
You rely on your physician to thoroughly evaluate your symptoms and medical history, trusting them to provide acceptable medical care and support when needed. When that physician is responsible for diagnosing cervical cancer, your whole life is disrupted. Your sole focus should be your health and recovery. However, when you know that the actions of a careless medical professional led to a misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, it can be hard to prioritize what matters.
The medical malpractice lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. understand how you feel. Our dedicated team can take the reins and use our extensive experience to pursue compensation and justice on your behalf, so you can focus your emotional and physical energy on recovering your health.
Our experienced legal team has the knowledge and resources to help you maximize your compensation. We have recovered over $2.5 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients, including significant medical malpractice settlements.
While we strive for successful results for our clients, we also value client feedback. Our law firm is proud of the numerous five-star reviews that highlight our exceptional work ethic and dedication. One client, Michael E., wrote: “Our lawyer was very responsive over a multi-year suit. She truly seemed to care and never made us feel as if our case was just another folder on her desk.” That’s what sets us apart: our commitment to treating you with the respect you deserve.
How a Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Can Occur
Cervical cancer starts in the cells lining the cervix in the female reproductive system. Most cervical cancer originates in the transformation zone, the area of the cervix where the endocervix and exocervix meet. Many women experience abnormal changes in cervical cells that a doctor can find through a Pap smear test. Most abnormal cells go away on their own and require no specific treatment. For others, however, these abnormal cells multiply, turning into cervical cancer. With a cervical cancer screening, a doctor can find abnormal cells and the signs of cervical cancer in the early stages when the cancer is more treatable.
Although routine women’s wellness checks are key to finding and detecting these abnormal cells in their early stages, cervical cancer negligence can lead to a misdiagnosis. There may be no significant symptoms in the very early stages of the disease. Pain during sex, abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, and pain in the pelvic region are common as the cancer becomes larger or moves into other areas of the pelvis. As the cancer progresses, these symptoms may be interpreted as a sign of something else, such as an infection or other reproductive issues, leading to misdiagnosis.
Routine screenings can help prevent cervical cancers. HPV and Pap tests are two routine tools doctors can use to look for abnormal cervical cells.
Signs of a Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis
Medical malpractice is a fact-dependent area of law, meaning that a medical practitioner failed to provide the medically acceptable standard of care to a patient, and as a result, that patient suffered harm or an injury. Although you should always speak to an experienced cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawyer about the specifics of your situation, some signs of cervical cancer misdiagnosis can include the following:
- Incorrect diagnostic test results
- Errors in reading or interpreting test results
- Failing to order appropriate cervical cancer tests
- Failing to administer Pap tests properly
- Failing to assess a patient’s risk factors and medical history before disregarding cervical cancer (HPV infection)
- Misdiagnosis of cervical cancer as another medical condition
- Inadequate follow-up care or treatment after identifying abnormal cervical cells
Dangers of a Missed or Delayed Cancer Diagnosis
The danger of a missed or delayed cervical cancer diagnosis cannot be overstated. Catching and treating cancer before it has a chance to spread can improve a cervical cancer patient’s prognosis and can ultimately save their life. Misdiagnosis can lead to devastating consequences such as the following:
- Unnecessary medical treatments for other conditions
- Cancer that spreads to other organs or areas of the body
- Cancer that progresses to a more advanced and difficult-to-treat stage
- Need for more expensive and aggressive treatment options
- Decreased quality of life
- Reduced chances of survival
- Death
In cases where a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis causes a patient to die, a cervical cancer misdiagnosis wrongful death lawsuit in Illinois may be necessary to recover compensation on behalf of a loved one.
Financial Compensation You Can Recover for a Cancer Misdiagnosis
In addition to the physical and mental distress that a cervical cancer misdiagnosis can cause, many cancer patients also struggle with the financial burden of increased treatment expenses and medical care costs. Although the value of a cervical cancer misdiagnosis case varies, in many situations, a patient can seek compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Caretaking costs
- Lost services and earnings
- Pain and suffering
You should always discuss your case with a skilled and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney before accepting a settlement from an insurer or another entity. An attorney can calculate your current and future medical expenses and other losses, allowing them to negotiate for an amount that covers all your losses.
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys for a Free Consultation
A cervical cancer misdiagnosis can be crushing. It can make you lose faith in those you trust to protect you. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawyers can guide you through this challenging time with grace and compassion. Trust us to provide personalized legal representation and the resources necessary to pursue compensation and accountability.
Contact our Chicago office today and ask to arrange a free legal consultation with an experienced cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawyer. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your case.
