The Tragedy a Cancer Misdiagnosis Can Cause for West Virginia Families
Our distinguished family of lawyers serves medical malpractice victims and their families throughout West Virginia
Cancer is caused by changes to genes that control the way our cells function, especially the way in which they grow and divide. Successful elimination of cancer depends on its early diagnosis and treatment before it can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) by way of blood or lymphatic vessels.
Paulson & Nace, PLLC is a family-owned and managed team of West Virginia medical malpractice attorneys. Our team devotes itself to helping people whose lives have been complicated or shortened, and their families’ lives disrupted, by doctors’ failure to correctly diagnose cancer. Through jury verdicts and aggressive settlement negotiations, we have secured fair compensation for wronged clients and their families throughout the state. Count on our family to help yours when you or a loved one has been injured by a misdiagnosis of cancer.
Cancer misdiagnosis is more common than you may think
When a patient exhibits visible signs and symptoms of cancer but a medical professional fails to diagnose it, a critical window of opportunity can be missed in which treatment is most effective. A missed or late diagnosis can result in extensive complications, physical suffering, and even death. The American Cancer Society estimates that a delay of even three months in a cancer diagnosis will almost certainly result in a need for more aggressive and expensive forms of treatment and a higher risk of mortality. Patients exposed to this kind of danger as a result of medical malpractice may be able to recover compensation.
Because cancer can involve any organ or tissue, it often presents with symptoms that suggest other diseases. For example, symptoms that may appear to be those of a benign brain tumor may actually be those of lung cancer that has metastasized to the brain. Small, irregular, and discolored skin growths that appear as moles may actually be melanoma. Doctors must be careful to test for cancer as well as for the more obvious disorders. The tests themselves may not be totally reliable because:
- Mistakes can be made in the lab. Errors such as lost tissue samples or confusing one patient’s biopsy with another’s are not unusual.
- Test results may be misinterpreted. Doctors rely heavily on outside specialists for testing and interpretation. A consulting pathologist may misinterpret a tissue sample, or a consulting radiologist may misread an x-ray and report that cancer is absent when, in fact, it is present.
- Preconceptions. A doctor may have a preconceived notion of who can be afflicted with particular kinds of cancer, and fail to order an appropriate test.
Do not hesitate to speak with an experienced lawyer in West Virginia if a delayed or missed cancer diagnosis has harmed you or a loved one.
Our attorneys advocate for victims of misdiagnosed cancer throughout West Virginia
At Paulson & Nace, PLLC, we believe that no one should have to suffer because a licensed professional negligently failed to adhere to a proper standard of care. If you or a family member were injured as a result of a doctor’s or laboratory’s failure to diagnose cancer, our family of medical malpractice attorneys offers the compassionate, personal, and professional attention you deserve. We are widely recognized throughout West Virginia for our comprehensive legal services and our aggressive advocacy for victims of negligence by professional caregivers. When you choose a qualified medical malpractice lawyer from our practice to represent you, you are choosing a team that values families and family relationships. Please call 304-741-8079 or fill out our contact form to tell us your story in a no-obligation consultation. Our office is located at 3501 Maccorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304.
We have dedicated our lives to helping medical malpractice victims and their families. Now, let our family help you and yours.