We’ve all heard the horror stories. In some cases, a person has been told that they have cancer and undergo extensive treatment and even surgery, only to find out later that the diagnosis was not, in fact correct – or in other cases they have gone to their physician with symptoms and been told that it’s all in their head, only to find out later that they actually have cancer. In the first scenario, the victim has gone through untold pain and suffering, and endured unnecessary procedures and expense, while in the second their cancer has advanced without treatment, possibly causing their death or meaning that their course of treatment needs to be more aggressive. Both types of cases represent cancer misdiagnosis, and if it has happened to you or someone you love, then you deserve compensation for your pain. The compassionate Philadelphia cancer misdiagnosis lawyers at Bochetto & Lentz understand your frustration and are here to help. We will act as aggressive advocates to make sure that you get the justice you deserve.
There are many different types of medical malpractice, but cancer misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are two of the most serious. Though not every delayed or inaccurate diagnosis represents medical malpractice, it is important that if you believe that you have been the victims of malpractice you seek legal help. At Bochetto & Lentz, we will listen carefully to your situation and what happened to you or your loved one with a special focus on whether your case shows signs that negligence occurred. Legally speaking, in order for a doctor to be considered negligent in misdiagnosing your cancer, they need to have not acted in a reasonably skillful and competent manner. The question will center on the physician’s differential diagnosis method, and will look to other physicians for their expert opinion on whether their actions were reasonable and in keeping with what would be expected from another doctor under similar circumstances.
Differential diagnosis is the method that medical professionals use to identify illnesses or conditions of all kinds. They evaluate the patient by asking about their history and performing a physical examination, then make a list of all of the possible reasons for the symptoms that are presenting. Diagnosis involves a careful elimination of different possibilities through further observations and diagnostic test. When a Philadelphia cancer misdiagnosis case is brought to us, we look at whether the physician included the correct diagnosis on their differential diagnosis list, as well as whether they ordered or performed the appropriate tests to see whether that diagnosis was correct. In most misdiagnosis cases, there has been a failure in one of these two elements.
If you believe that you or someone you love has been damaged as a result of a Philadelphia cancer misdiagnosis that was negligent, contact the attorneys at Bochetto & Lentz. We will act aggressively to ensure that your rights are protected and that you get the justice you deserve.
Get more information from our Philadelphia Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer HERE.