Baltimore Failure to Diagnose Cancer Attorney

The failure to diagnose cancer can be a life-threatening mistake that robs the patient of their chance to receive the treatment they need. The cancer may be left to metastasize as the patient goes about their life, or the patient may undergo treatment for a different, incorrect diagnosis, subjecting them to unnecessary pain and financial expense.

If this has happened to you or someone you love, you may be able to pursue compensation and justice from the negligent doctor or hospital. A Baltimore cancer misdiagnosis attorney is standing by to help you understand your rights. You can call our team at Brown & Barron any time for a free consultation.

We have recovered millions of dollars for those injured at the hands of negligent doctors. Trust our caring legal team to go to bat for you!

Get in touch with a cancer lawyer serving Baltimore, (410) 698-1717 for a free case evaluation.

Entrust Your Case to Our Compassionate Team

If you have found yourself injured due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose cancer, we want to help. At Brown & Barron, our Baltimore cancer misdiagnosis attorneys have more than 137 years of collective experience in pursuing these cases. We will work to recover your full compensation and hold the medical professional who harmed you—as well as any institution that protected them—accountable.

At Brown & Barron, our Baltimore injury lawyers offer clients:

• Responsive communication 24/7
• Personalized legal services
• Goal-oriented counsel
• Skilled advocacy in both trial and negotiations

How Common Is Cancer Misdiagnosis?

Sadly, cancer misdiagnosis is very common across the country. A study by BMJ Quality & Safety, a peer-reviewed journal, estimated that 28% of all cancer cases involve misdiagnosis.

Some cancers are more likely to be misdiagnosed than others. According to the National Law Review, doctors are most likely to misdiagnose or fail to diagnose the following cancers:

• Lymphoma: Cancer of the lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow. Lymphoma can affect those body parts but also spread to other organs in the body. The most common types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Treatment for lymphoma includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a bone marrow transplant. Early symptoms include swelling of lymph nodes, fever, persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, and itchy skin.
• Breast cancer: Cancer that develops in the cells of the breasts is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Early symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, change in the appearance of the breast, changes in the skin over the breast, and redness of the skin over the breast. It is crucial to see your doctor promptly after finding any type of lump or change in your breast. 
• Colon cancer: Cancer that begins in the colon can happen at any age but typically occurs in older adults. It is recommended to be screened regularly to catch cancerous cells in the colon before they turn into cancer. Treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Early symptoms include a persistent change in your bowel habits, rectal bleeding, weakness, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. However, symptoms can vary based on the cancer’s size and location. 
• Lung cancer: Cancer that begins in the lungs is the leading cause of death from cancer in the world. Symptoms of lung cancer usually do not appear until the cancer is more advanced, but they include coughing blood, shortness of breath, headache, hoarseness, and chest pain. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy. Smokers have a higher risk of developing lung cancer—if you smoke, stopping can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer. 
• Skin cancer: This is cancer caused by the abnormal growth of skin cells. The three most common types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a common cause. Symptoms vary based on the type of skin cancer—it is important to check for any changes in your skin to detect skin cancer early. Early detection will provide a better chance of successfully treating it. 
• Sarcoma: This is a rare form of cancer that affects the bones and soft tissues in the body. Treatment for sarcoma varies based on the type and location. Symptoms include a lump that can be felt through the skin, weight loss, abdominal pain, bone pain, or your bones breaking easily. Researchers are still unclear about what causes sarcoma.

What Counts as Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose?

For a medical malpractice claim, “failure to diagnose” includes a spectrum of diagnostic errors, such as:

• Misdiagnosis, or incorrectly diagnosing cancer as another type of cancer or health condition
• Delayed diagnosis, or failure to give a timely diagnosis
• Missed diagnosis, or failing to diagnose comorbidities

At Brown & Barron, our cancer misdiagnosis attorneys have even seen cases in which patients are diagnosed with cancer, despite being completely cancer-free. Although you may not be sick, this can cause a lot of emotional distress to you and your family. Medical professionals who misdiagnose should be held accountable. 

Contact Brown & Barron online today to schedule a free case review with a cancer lawyer serving Baltimore.

Taking Legal Action Over Diagnostic Errors

To have a successful civil claim, you must prove that the doctor’s failure to diagnose cancer led to some type of preventable injury. This may mean that you did not receive the medical care you needed in time or at all. It may also mean you underwent treatment that you did not need.

From there, you must also prove that the injury resulted in the accumulation of damages, such as lost wages, pain and suffering, hospital bills, medical treatment (like chemotherapy), and emotional distress, among others. Our attorneys at Brown & Barron will help you gather the documentation needed to prove you suffered from damages. Then, we will calculate the value of your damages to seek in your claim.

Contact Our Firm Today

Our Baltimore cancer misdiagnosis lawyers can assist in proving these elements of your case. We know how to get to the bottom of medical negligence—even when hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals attempt to cover it up. Your doctor must provide you with a standard level of care and should be held accountable if they deviate from that. 

The members of our firm are available to take your call 24/7. 

Contact us today for a free consultation. We will answer all of your questions and inform you of your legal options.