One of the few ways to combat lung cancer is to detect it early enough and treat it before it spreads to other areas of the body. Lung cancer symptoms include common ailments, from hoarseness to a persistent cough, and it is the doctor’s duty to rule out or bring to light any possibility for a major disease. The standard of care applies to diagnosing as much as it does to treating a potentially life-threatening medical condition.
When doctors fail to detect lung cancer, it can mean the difference between a patient entering remission or descending into the later stages of cancer development. You deserve the medical treatment that gives you the best chance at beating this formidable form of cancer. If you believe your doctor failed to diagnose your lung cancer sooner than later, you may qualify to bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against the negligent party.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help connect you with a Bartlett failure to diagnose lung cancer lawyer so you can take legal action. We offer free case reviews, and we do not shy away from tough cases. Call us at (800) 217-6099 as soon as you can so we can begin looking into your case.
Five-Year Survival Rates Hinge on How Early You Detect Your Lung Cancer
Part of what makes cancer of any kind so difficult to treat is that it spreads easily and quickly throughout the body from its point of origin. According to the National Cancer Institute, localized lung cancer—which has not yet spread to other areas of the body—has a five-year survival rate of 59%. After the cancer spreads, the survival rate drops considerably. In general, only 20% of patients who diagnose lung cancer in the later stages survive five years. Making matters worse, usually only 17% of lung cancer cases are detected within the localized stage.
With statistics like these, it is important for both you and your doctor to be proactive. If you notice any symptoms of lung cancer and if you used to or still do smoke, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. If you have a history of working in a field that exposed you to carcinogens, like asbestos, you may also want to consider seeing a doctor if you present symptoms.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the symptoms that could indicate a case of lung cancer include:
- A persistent cough
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Bone pain
These symptoms can signal other medical conditions aside from lung cancer, which makes it even more difficult to rule out. This is also why doctors need to observe a standard of care when assessing patients. Their patients rely on accurate feedback, and they deserve a thorough assessment of their health.
When Doctors Fail to Diagnose Lung Cancer
When a doctor fails to diagnose lung cancer, the consequences could grow even worse. A patient who receives a supposed good bill of health may not question any worsening symptoms, only to find out much later that a serious problem exists. Had they gone to a doctor who was following the standard of care and using good judgment, the outcome of their battle against lung cancer could be drastically altered.
In a case like this, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor who originally failed to diagnose you properly. Medical malpractice involves a breach in the standard of care and aims to compare your doctor’s decisions to those of a competent doctor who acts within reason. If this means running additional tests in light of an observed abnormality, for example, and your doctor failed to do so, you may have a case.
For a free legal consultation with a Failure to Diagnose Lung Cancer Lawyer serving Tennessee, call (800) 217-6099
How a Bartlett Failure to Diagnose Lung Cancer Lawyer Can Help
Dealing with lung cancer is difficult enough without adding a complicated medical malpractice case on top of your priorities. This is why some victims of this type of negligence hire lawyers to help them with their case.
A lawyer can:
- Investigate your original diagnosis to see how the doctor could have acted differently
- Establish negligence through a breach in the standard of care
- Negotiate with insurers
- Represent you in a trial if needed
You deserve to devote all of your attention to battling lung cancer as best as you can. The medical treatment alone can be exhausting. Let a lawyer go to work for you when it comes to seeking the compensation you deserve.
Tennessee Failure to Diagnose Lung Cancer Lawyer Near Me (800) 217-6099
Potential Avenues for Compensation
A diagnosis of lung cancer can upend your entire life and the well-being of your family. Costly medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering qualify as losses for which you may seek justice. Along with the obvious expenses, you may also suffer from a reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your field of work after surgery, for example.
What is worse is that an untimely passing could leave your loved ones without any means to adjust financially. They may face the brunt of your medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost contributions to the family. If your family member died due to a failed lung cancer diagnosis, you may be able to pursue compensation for wrongful death.
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Despite the odds, some people beat lung cancer. A determining factor in their ability to do so is an accurate, early diagnosis, followed by a treatment plan and continual monitoring. Without these measures, the cancer will only spread beyond the point of surgery and treatment.
If you believe your doctor failed to diagnose your lung cancer or failed to do so soon enough, you can give us a call. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we believe doctors have a responsibility to thoroughly evaluate their patients and safeguard against the potential spread of cancer.
Give us a call at (800) 217-6099 to discuss your case and see what a Bartlett failure to diagnose lung cancer lawyer can do to help.
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