If you have cancer or know someone who does, it’s crucial that the diagnosis is accurate and treatment is promptly started. If a medical mistake by an oncologist deprives the patient of this chance, it could be malpractice.
An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer. This physician may be a medical oncologist who uses chemotherapy, a surgical oncologist who removes tumors or performs biopsies, or a radiation oncologist who administers radiation treatments to shrink or eradicate cancer cells. Our Syracuse Oncology Malpractice Lawyer can handle claims against any of these doctors.
When you first visit an oncologist, the initial steps they should take are to run tests, review the patient’s past medical history and family history and gauge how far the cancer has progressed. A large number of cases alleging oncologist malpractice stem from errors during this stage of the process. Among the most common causes of these errors is the failure to conduct a thorough physical examination or rely solely on x-rays or other imaging tests without a biopsy to determine whether a patient has a cancerous tumor.
Another cause of misdiagnosis is the failure to consider a patient’s symptoms and other factors when forming a treatment plan, such as the fact that a patient has a weakened immune system or previous surgeries that might influence the success of a procedure. Sometimes, the oncologist might fail to follow up on test results or consult with a specialist for further testing. Lastly, the oncologist might fail to reevaluate the patient’s condition after starting treatment or when the patient experiences new or worsening symptoms.
To file a successful medical malpractice claim, you must be able to prove that your medical professional owed you a duty to act within the appropriate standard of care, they breached this duty, and the breach directly caused you harm. A successful claim also must establish that your injury would not have occurred but for the oncologist’s mistake.
A failed diagnosis of cancer can be devastating to a patient and their family. If a cancerous tumor is not properly treated in a timely manner, it can spread to other parts of the body and even cause death.
Medical malpractice claims against oncologists are not as frequent as those against other physicians, but they do occur. Nevertheless, these claims can be complicated and require the help of an experienced Syracuse Oncology Malpractice Lawyer.
To have a strong case, you need an experienced legal team on your side. Our firm can help you investigate the facts of your case, consult with your own experts and develop an effective strategy to win your claim. To learn more, contact us today for a free consultation. Our firm handles medical malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case. We also offer free initial consultations. We serve clients throughout the state of New York, including Syracuse, Ithaca, Binghamton and Elmira.