Malpractice in Post-Surgical Cancer Care

For patients undergoing cancer treatment, surgery is often a critical step in managing or eradicating the disease. However, the care patients receive after surgery is just as vital as the procedure itself. Post-surgical cancer care requires careful monitoring, accurate follow-up, and prompt responses to any complications. As such, when healthcare providers fail to deliver appropriate care, the consequences can be catastrophic and is often grounds for pursuing medical malpractice claims. If you or a loved one were harmed by a healthcare professional’s negligence during post-surgical cancer care, you have the right to seek damages, and you should consult an attorney as soon as possible. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our capable Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys understand what it takes to prevail in claims against negligent providers, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly to help you seek the maximum damages recoverable. We frequently help people in the pursuit of damages in medical malpractice claims in Rochester, Syracuse, and Upstate New York.

After cancer surgery, patients are particularly vulnerable and require close attention from their healthcare providers. Post-surgical cancer care encompasses a range of services, including pain management, wound care, and monitoring for complications,. Physicians must also assess whether the surgery achieved its goals, such as the full removal of a tumor, and determine whether additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation are necessary.

Unfortunately, mistakes during this critical phase can lead to severe consequences. A failure to monitor for post-operative complications, such as infections, blood clots, or internal bleeding, can result in life-threatening conditions. Similarly, if cancerous tissue is left behind or follow-up imaging and testing are delayed, the disease may progress unchecked. These errors can significantly diminish the patient’s chances of recovery, prolong their suffering, or reduce their life expectancy.

In the context of post-surgical cancer care, many errors can arise. Providers may fail to recognize and address complications like infection or internal bleeding in a timely manner, or they may neglect critical follow-up care to confirm that cancerous tissues have been fully removed. In many instances, such mistakes are grounds for pursuing medical malpractice claims.

Generally, a plaintiff pursuing damages in a medical malpractice case must prove the defendant’s negligence. To do so, they must show that the defendant owed them a duty and that the defendant breached the duty owed. The duty a healthcare provider owes a patient is to provide care that comports with the relevant standard of care or with what is considered the good and accepted practice of medicine. Any deviation from the standard of care likely constitutes a breach. The plaintiff also has to prove that the breach of the standard directly caused the plaintiff to suffer measurable losses. In most instances, expert testimony is necessary to both establish the standard and the manner in which the defendant failed to uphold it.

Victims of malpractice in post-surgical cancer care may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include tangible financial losses, such as the cost of additional surgeries, prolonged hospital stays, rehabilitation, and future medical care. They also encompass lost wages and the loss of future earning potential if the malpractice affects the patient’s ability to work. Non-economic damages address intangible losses, including the patient’s pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving the wrongful death of a patient, their family may also seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other related losses.

Medical malpractice in post-surgical cancer care can have devastating consequences for patients and their families. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a healthcare provider’s negligence during this critical phase of treatment, it is essential to meet with an attorney to evaluate your options. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our trusted Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys proudly advocate for victims of medical negligence, and if we represent you, we will zealously pursue any compensation available for your losses. We regularly assist clients in medical malpractice claims in Syracuse, Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York. You can contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case by using our form online or by calling 833-200-2000.