Misdiagnosis of Lung Cancer

A frequently diagnosed cancer is that of the lung. It is second to cancer of the breast in women and of the prostate in men. Every year lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form. There is no cure for it and depending on how early the diagnosis and the treatments given will determine the outcome of the disease.

Early diagnosis is important. A misdiagnosis can be overwhelming to a patient and the consequences are heartbreaking. Representing individuals and families are medical malpractice attorneys. They will evaluate your claim free of charge.

How Misdiagnosis of Lung Cancer Occur

A missed or wrong diagnosis can lead to delays in treatment, wrong treatments or no treatments at all. Many factors can cause a doctor's mistake. Some include:

• Mistaking the lung cancer as another condition - bronchitis or tuberculosis, for example
• Failing to perform necessary tests such as x-rays, biopsies and/or MRIs
• Misinterpreting test results
• Failing to obtain full medical history - for instance, whether a patient suffered toxic exposure such as asbestos or is a smoker
• Mistaking symptoms of another condition for cancer when no cancer is present
• Identifying a tumor as benign when it's malignant, or vice versa

There are various types that can be misdiagnosed including primary, secondary, small cell, non-small cell and mesothelioma.

What Happens When Lung Cancer Is Misdiagnosed

If this is not diagnosed correctly or early enough the patient may go through the following:

• No treatment is started
• The wrong treatment is given
• Needless treatment is initiated

A misdiagnosis of any cancer can dramatically decrease the survival rate of a patient. It can also lead to a sudden death.

Victims of Misdiagnosis Have Legal Rights

There is a standard of care a doctor must succumb to that an individual is entitled to. When a doctor or other medical staff does not provide this level of care, they are acting negligently and they may be subjected to a lawsuit if an error occurs. Victims have legal rights in all situations regarding health and medical care. One right is the right to compensation for the damages they endured. Every case is different depending on the situation. Compensation can include:

• Treatment expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of a loved one
• Loss of financial support

Are You Eligible for Compensation?

If you were a victim of a misdiagnosis of lung cancer, a medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your case at no cost to determine if you are eligible for some compensation. If they determine you do have a claim, they will advise you of your legal options.