Understanding Medical Experts in Florida Cancer Malpractice

Cancer misdiagnosis is one of the most common forms of errors by Florida health care providers, though there are many other ways that physicians may be negligent in treating the disease. Malpractice in cancer care has extreme implications for the patient, as this is one area where the results of a mistake can be devastating. Cancer can quickly progress and become terminal without proper care, and even the forms that are highly treatable can lead to life-threatening consequences.

If you or a loved one suffered harm because of a doctor’s errors in diagnosing or treating cancer, you do have rights under Florida law. Recovering the compensation you deserve is heavily reliant on evidence, including input from medical professionals. Your Miami cancer malpractice attorney will handle the details, but it is helpful to understand the types of experts that may support your legal remedies.

Oncology Experts in Cancer Misdiagnosis and Malpractice Claims: You are required to prove that the physical departure from the standard of care was unacceptable in the relevant medical field in a med mal case. Therefore, for cancer malpractice you will likely call upon the services of oncologists to support your claim. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, there are different kinds of oncologists:

• Medical oncologists have specific backgrounds in diagnosing, assigning a stage, and determining a course of treatment for cancer.
• A surgical oncologist may be involved in your case if your cancer malpractice is based upon claims that your physician was negligent in ordering or performing a procedure.
• You may work with a radiation oncologist for a med mal claim if your treating doctor erred in applying the dangerous rays that shrink or destroy cancer.

In addition, you should note that your malpractice lawyer may retain a specialty oncologist when the harm is linked to specific types of cancer. Women who suffered harm because of cancers of the female reproductive system might need a gynecologic oncologist, while a person with cancers affecting the brain or spine might require a neurological oncologist. 

Qualifications for Medical Experts Under Florida Law: A physician may be licensed to practice medicine in the state, but there are additional requirements when that person could be called to testify and offer an opinion in a med mal case. For cancer malpractice, your medical expert must work in oncology or specialize in the bodily system affected by your doctor’s negligence. Plus, this professional must have spent time in the last three years:

• Working in an active clinical practice or consulting
• Instructing students in an accredited health professional school, accredited residency or clinical research program

Clinical research that is affiliated with an accredited health professional school, accredited residency or clinical research program.

Contact a Florida Cancer Malpractice Lawyer to Learn More

This description should convince you of how important it is to retain qualified, credible medical experts to assist with a cancer misdiagnosis or malpractice claim. To learn how our attorneys work with these professionals and prepare other evidence for your case, please contact Freidin Brown, P.A. to set up a free consultation. We can meet with you at our offices in Miami or Fort Myers, FL to explain additional details about the legal process.

Resource:

cancercenter.com/community/blog/2018/10/whats-the-difference-oncology-specialties