Did You Receive a Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis?

 Posted on September 20, 2023 in Medical Malpractice

Although the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that nine percent of adults have been diagnosed with cancer, it is estimated that approximately 10 to 20 percent are misdiagnosed in the beginning. Misdiagnosing cancer can lead to suffering at the least, and death at the worst. Since cancer can grow and spread rapidly, a timely and accurate diagnosis is imperative. Physicians are expected to use diagnostic tools appropriately and to refer cases to other doctors when necessary to pursue an accurate diagnosis for their patients. When they do not, the potential for a cancer misdiagnosis increases.

If you or a loved one recently received a breast cancer misdiagnosis, you could benefit from scheduling a consultation with a seasoned Chicago breast cancer misdiagnosis lawyer. An attorney can help you determine if you have a case for medical malpractice.

Do You Have a Case for Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis?

Civil law requires that healthcare professionals provide a standard of care to their patients. This standard is defined as what another reasonable healthcare professional with the same education and experience would do in a similar situation. If the healthcare professional fails to provide this standard of care and a patient suffers harm and damages because of it, they could be liable. 

When it comes to breast cancer, the standard of care is for doctors to offer routine screening tests such as routine breast exams, mammograms, ultrasounds, and even blood tests. If they fail to offer these tests and follow up on their results, they could be negligent in their care and not diagnose breast cancer in its early stages. Doctors also need to listen to their patients' symptoms and analyze any clinical findings to determine the most accurate course of care. If they fail to do this, they could also be negligent and fail to diagnose breast cancer in their patients.  

Damages for Cancer Misdiagnosis Cases

Not only will your Chicago breast cancer misdiagnosis attorney need to know the circumstances of your breast cancer misdiagnosis, but they will also need to know how it has impacted your life. Your settlement or court award will be dependent upon the types of damages you suffer from your misdiagnosis. Damages can be both economic and non-economic. Common damages that medical malpractice victims or their loved ones can claim include:

• Pain and suffering

• Scarring 

• Disfigurement

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Loss of society

• Loss of consortium

• Increased medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Wrongful death 

Hire an Experienced Chicago, IL Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney Today

Unfortunately, cases of cancer misdiagnosis are often hard to prove and win. As such, it is imperative that you have a legal team on your side that is familiar with the details of your case. Our skilled attorneys are well-versed in breast cancer medical malpractice cases, giving us a unique advantage when it comes to litigating breast cancer misdiagnosis cases. We know what it takes to win your claim, and we work tirelessly to do so. Meet with a dedicated Illinois breast cancer misdiagnosis lawyer from our firm today to get your case started. Contact Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC online or by phone at 312-236-6324 to schedule a free case consultation.