Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyers Help Right a Doctor’s Wrong
Cancer Misdiagnosis is More Common Than You Think
Doctors undergo more than 10 years of education, internships, and residencies to become licensed to practice medicine. We therefore turn to them in time of illness to find out what’s wrong with our bodies. Despite their rigorous training and our implicit trust, five percent of the time doctors fail to accurately diagnose a patient’s condition. This amounts to 12 million Americans being misdiagnosed a year. Half the time these misdiagnoses result in severe harm to the patient, and approximately 100,000 patients die annually.
Unfortunately, the statistics for cancer misdiagnosis aren’t any better. Cancer is misdiagnosed about 28 percent of the time. Even common cancers with heightened public awareness don’t fare well. Lymphoma, which affects the immune system, is misdiagnosed up to 40 percent of the time. Breast cancer and skin cancer also have high rates of misdiagnosis.
Someone on Your Side to Fight for You
Many people suffer or even die because doctors failed to properly diagnose cancer, or failed to do so at an early stage. This mistake can be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. These complex cases need medical malpractice attorneys with the skill and tenacity to represent you against the formidable insurance companies which protect physicians. At McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, our Philadelphia cancer misdiagnosis lawyers help countless patients and families suffering due to a doctor’s mistake. We are experienced trial lawyers who are dedicated to obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries.
How Does Cancer Misdiagnosis Happen?
Many factors can lead to a doctor’s failure to detect cancer:
- Digital medical records: Obamacare, HIPAA, and a host of other federal laws and regulations over the past decade have slowly made digital patient records a reality. However, the transition has not been smooth, and your doctor’s digital health record for you may contain errors or missing information.
- Fatigue: Doctors work long hours, especially in hospitals and emergency wards. Fatigue leads to mistakes and oversights.
- Misconceptions: A recent study showed that physicians believed that 70 percent of their female patients considered breast cancer prevention their top health priority. In fact, these same patients considered this issue the top concern less than 10 percent of the time.
- Time: Physicians in both general practice and hospitals are under immense pressure to see as many patients as possible. Time with patients can be short and rushed, and not lead to the doctor getting all the information necessary about your condition.
These examples highlight the many factors that can lead to cancer misdiagnosis. However, physicians must exercise a professional standard of care when providing you with healthcare. Being tired, rushed, or working in a new medical records system does not excuse doctors from their ethical and professional standards.
Our Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers have the skill and experience you need when facing a medical negligence claim. With steadfast commitment and unwavering diligence, we combat the attorneys and expert witnesses negligent doctors hide behind when facing a cancer misdiagnosis claim.
Contact Experienced Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a physician’s mistake or negligence in cancer treatment, we’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation with an experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, contact us online or call 215-569-8488 or 302-888-1221. Serving the Pennsylvania region, including Delaware County, Chester County and Montgomery County, as well as New Jersey and Delaware.