In years past, it was natural for many people to view a cancer diagnosis as a death sentence. Today, medical advancements are being made all the time though, and many patients beat the disease and continue to thrive for many years to come. Patients have the best chance of surviving the disease when they receive proper medical treatment and the condition is diagnosed during its early stages.
Unfortunately, not all healthcare professionals provide the diligent, and sometimes aggressive, care that cancer needs. If you or a loved one has become sicker or suffered additional harm after developing this potentially fatal disease, our Jacksonville cancer malpractice lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
When Does Cancer Malpractice Occur?
No two cases of cancer are exactly alike. In cancer malpractice cases though, the negligence typically happens in one of two ways. The first is when a doctor fails to diagnose the cancer at all. They may misdiagnose a patient with another condition, and may even provide treatment for the mistaken illness. The treatment the patient receives will be ineffective at best or even worse, cause them to suffer additional harm from the care given.
Cancer malpractice can also occur when a doctor delays a diagnosis. A delayed diagnosis starts the same way as a misdiagnosis. The difference is that the doctor eventually diagnoses the cancer correctly. Still, many treatment options are most effective when cancer is caught in its early stages, and any delay in a proper diagnosis can have catastrophic long-term effects for patients.
Suffered Due to a Cancer Misdiagnosis? Get a Free Case Review Today!
Collecting Damages for Cancer Malpractice
If you were the victim of medical negligence that resulted in cancer malpractice and you suffered further harm as a result, you can file a lawsuit against the liable party. Filing a claim for cancer malpractice is extremely complex, however. You must prove that the medical professional did not provide the high duty of care they owed you. To do this, you must show that another healthcare professional in a similar position would have acted differently.
When filing a claim, you will have to follow the procedures of the law. For example, you must submit your claim within two years, or you will likely lose your right to claim any compensation at all. If you are successful with your claim, you can recover financial compensation for any loss you sustained. Some of the most common damages available in cancer malpractice claims include:
- Medical costs, including additional chemotherapy treatments and surgery
- Loss of income and loss of future earning capacity
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Loss of consortium, guidance, and education
Our Cancer Malpractice Lawyer in Jacksonville Can Help You Claim Full Damages
If you or a loved one has suffered additional harm due to a delayed or missed diagnosis, our Jacksonville cancer malpractice lawyer at Freidin Brown, P.A. can help you claim the full and fair settlement you justly deserve. Call us today or connect with us online to schedule a free consultation and to obtain the sound legal advice you need.