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EspañolAdvances in modern medicine and technology have helped scientists make great strides in cancer research, so much so, that the number of cancer survivors has increased by 29 percent between the years of 1991 and 2017. The key to overcoming cancer? Early detection.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and other scientific organizations, many cancers can be cured if they are caught early. The more cancer progresses, the harder it becomes to treat because it spreads throughout the body and invades key organs. That’s why routine doctor’s visits are so important for a person’s general health and well-being.
That is until your doctor fails to diagnose something as serious and life-threatening as cancer.
The statistics of cancer misdiagnosis and delayed diagnoses are much higher than anyone could imagine. In a survey conducted by Best Doctors, Inc. and the National Coalition for Health Care (NCHC), most doctors believed that the number of all misdiagnosed cancer cases falls somewhere between 10 and 20 percent. However, the BMJ Quality and Safety journal estimates that number to be as high as 28 percent. Either way, the stark reality is that thousands of cancer patients die each year as a result.
Of course, doctors are human, and they make mistakes. However, the consequences of some mistakes are grave enough that they constitute medical negligence. Take a look at some of the common reasons why a cancer misdiagnosis can happen in the first place.
Discovering that your cancer has progressed due to a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can feel like the ground has been cut from under your feet. It’s scary to realize that your doctor, who you inherently trust with something as important as your health, can let you down when you need them the most, but it’s important to remember that you may pursue legal options. In the state of New York, the statute of limitations for cancer misdiagnosis is 2.5 years from the day the patient discovers they were misdiagnosed. Of course, we always recommend filing a claim sooner than later.
Our medical malpractice lawyers are always there for you through the most difficult times and can help you get the justice you deserve. Over the years, we have won millions of dollars for our clients, and we are ready to do the same for you. If you or a loved one are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for your cancer misdiagnosis, we encourage you to contact Scaffidi & Associates at your earliest convenience. With an honest, hardworking, and assertive lawyer by your side, you can win damages for medical bills, pain, and suffering, lost wages, prescription drug costs, reduced earning capacity, and more. We also have a team of brilliant wrongful death attorneys ready to fight for you in court in the unfortunate event that your loved one passes away from their battle with cancer.
Contact us today if you would like to schedule a consultation by phone or in-person at our New York office.
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