Misdiagnosed Cancer - Ovarian Cancer | Legal advice for people affected by dental & medical malpractice.
When a medical professional is guilty of negligence, it may lead to injury to the patient and subsequent medical malpractice. When professionals in the field of medicine fail to uphold the industry-accepted standards of appropriate care for their patients, the risk of serious harm is very possible.
Among the most common cases of medical malpractice are when doctors fail to properly diagnose potentially deadly illnesses and the patient suffers grievous harm from it. Failing to detect, diagnose and begin treatment of ovarian cancer can be detrimental to health and well-being and may even result in the patient’s death.
Recognizing and Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer
The earlier ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the better the prognosis is. It is essential that treatment begin as soon as possible in order to prevent the cancer from metastasizing to other locations of the patient’s body. When going only by symptoms, ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognize. However, regular examinations from a women’s healthcare provider or general practitioner can find out if tests should be done. The symptoms of ovarian cancer include but are not limited to:
- Changes in the menstrual cycle
- Frequent need to urinate
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Chronic heartburn
- Dull low back pain
- Painful intercourse
- Pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen
- Unusual changes in mood
Those who are suffering from these symptoms and feels that their doctor isn’t listening to their concerns by ordering the appropriate diagnostic tests may be a victim of medical negligence. It is highly recommended to get another opinion in situations such as these.
Standard of Care
So that all patients receive equal treatment and to avoid the possibility of injury due to negligence, doctors and other medical professionals are required maintain industry standards of care. When ovarian cancer is misdiagnosed or overlooked, or if tests were read improperly or not performed at all, this may be considered negligence and may warrant filing a malpractice suit.
Probable Cause
When filing a malpractice suit, the patient or surviving family member must prove that any injuries were caused by negligence on the part of the medical professional. For example, if a patient visited their doctor for a simple check-up and the results of the exam detected an ovarian tumor but the doctor neglected to notify the patient or order the proper tests, this failure to diagnose the illness could cause serious patient harm. In order to pursue medical malpractice claims, causation must be proven.
Legal Assistance
Women who feel that they’ve been treated unjustly by a medical professional or have suffered personal injury from a failed ovarian cancer diagnosis are strongly recommended to seek an attorney who is experienced in medical malpractice law. A malpractice attorney will help to guide patients or their family members through the arduous lawsuit process and help them receive damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of companionship and the costs of medical treatment.