Uterine cancer is among the most frequently diagnosed gynecological cancers, and its incidence has steadily risen over recent years. Uterine cancer is treatable, but the prognosis for women with this disease greatly depends on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed. As such, the failure to diagnose uterine cancer can have devastating consequences. In most instances, delayed and missed cancer diagnoses are the result of negligence, and people harmed by such errors can often recover compensation via medical malpractice claims. If you or your loved one were injured by a doctor’s failure to diagnose uterine cancer, it is prudent to talk to an attorney about your options. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our dedicated Syracuse medical malpractice lawyers have the skills and knowledge needed to prove careless physicians should be held responsible for the damages they cause, and if you hire us, we will advocate tirelessly on your behalf. We frequently represent people in medical malpractice lawsuits in Syracuse, as well as in Rochester and cities throughout Upstate New York.
Signs and Symptoms of Uterine CancerNumerous signs and symptoms can trigger suspicion a woman has uterine cancer, including abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding between periods or after menopause, pelvic pain or pressure, difficulty urinating, pain during intercourse, and unexplained weight loss. Diagnosing uterine cancer typically involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRI scans, and biopsies to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.
Failure to diagnose uterine cancer can have severe ramifications, potentially leading to the cancer spreading to other parts of the body, making treatment more difficult and reducing the chances of successful outcomes. Additionally, delayed diagnosis may result in the need for more aggressive treatments, diminished quality of life, and increased mortality rates. Therefore, early detection and timely intervention are crucial.
Claims Arising Out of the Failure to Diagnose Uterine CancerEarly detection of uterine cancer significantly improves survival rates, but when it is not diagnosed until it is in the advanced stages, survival rates drop significantly. Therefore, many people impacted by a doctor’s failure to diagnose uterine cancer will seek justice for their losses via medical malpractice claims.
A plaintiff pursuing medical malpractice claims will usually argue that the defendant healthcare provider acted negligently. In New York, four components make up negligence, and a plaintiff must establish each component to demonstrate fault. First, the plaintiff needs to demonstrate that the defendant owed them a duty; in the realm of medical care, the duty a doctor owes a patient is to offer treatment that conforms with what is considered the accepted and good practice of medicine. The plaintiff then must prove that the defendant’s behavior constitutes a breach of the duty owed. Finally, the plaintiff must establish that they suffered actual harm and link the harm suffered to the defendant’s breach. In other words, they must show they would not have sustained losses had the defendant complied with the standard of care.
Most judges and juries do not have independent knowledge of the standard of care that applies to doctors or what is considered a breach of the standard. In most medical malpractice cases, therefore, the plaintiff will need to hire a medical expert to explain these issues to the jury and establish causation.
Meet With an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney in Syracuse, Rochester, or Upstate New YorkWhen women present with alarming symptoms, they anticipate that their doctors will provide them with an accurate diagnosis, but tragically, in many instances, their concerns are overlooked. If you or someone you love were hurt due to a physician’s failure to diagnose uterine cancer, it is wise to meet with an attorney to discuss your potential claims. The experienced Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers understand the devastation delayed cancer diagnoses can cause, and if we represent you, we will fight to help you seek the results you deserve. Our main office is located in Syracuse, and we regularly help people pursue medical malpractice claims in Syracuse, Rochester, and other cities in Upstate New York. You can contact us to arrange a free and confidential meeting by using our online form or by calling us at 833-200-2000.