Cervical Cancer
We trust healthcare practitioners with our lives, but these professionals do make mistakes in diagnosing cervical cancer. When an error or poor judgement results in unnecessary procedures or delayed treatment, the impact on a patient can be severe. A victim can suffer tremendously and there are often complications with fertility. Medical bills for treatments are extremely costly, and the patient may be out of work for an extended period of time.
Under Pennsylvania law, a victim of misdiagnosed cervical cancer may recover compensation for the pain and suffering she endures. The attorneys at Cohen, Placitella, & Roth, P.C. in Philadelphia can assist you in pursuing the responsible physician, as the effects of this type of medical malpractice are devastating.
Why a Misdiagnosis of Cervical Cancer Occurs
- Failure to Follow Up: When a doctor orders tests, he or she must be diligent in reviewing the results and communicating with a patient. Failure to do so, such as by referring the patient to a cancer specialist, is a misdiagnosis error.
- Dismissing the Possibility: A doctor may fail to recognize the signs that cervical cancer is present, which means proper tests aren’t ordered and treatment is delayed.
- Other Mistakes Regarding Misdiagnosis include: Misdiagnosis of cervical cancer may result from improper screening, defective technology, mixing up specimen samples with other patients’ tissues, and many other actions that fail to adhere to a healthcare provider’s duty of care to a patient.
Effects of a Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis
When cervical cancer is diagnosed within a reasonable amount of time, it’s often treatable by mild chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, if there is a misdiagnosis that delays treatment, a patient may go through more advanced, painful types of treatment. In some cases, a victim of misdiagnosis must endure a hysterectomy, removal of pelvic lymph nodes, removal of the ovaries, and/or surgical removal of the fallopian tubes. A patient who undergoes this type of surgical treatment will be unable to have children.
Proving a Case for Misdiagnosis
There are four factors to proving a cervical cancer misdiagnosis case in order to obtain financial compensation:
- A physician owed a duty to provide a medically reasonable standard of care to the patient;
- The doctor failed to meet that standard of care;
- The breach resulted in injury or fertility issues for the patient; and,
- The patient suffered damages as a result of the doctor’s failure to diagnose cervical cancer.
Consult with a Philadelphia Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney Right Away
Doctors are held to a professional standard of care when providing treatment and identifying disease, but incidents of misdiagnosing cervical cancer do occur. When a physician makes such a mistake and causes injury to a patient, the victim may be entitled to compensation under Pennsylvania law. However, misdiagnosis of cervical cancer cases are complex and proper proof is critical. The lawyers at Cohen, Placitella, & Roth, P.C. have extensive experience in proving malpractice cases and can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Please contact our Philadelphia office for more information or to schedule a free consultation regarding your case.