Fullerton Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Although any type of medical misdiagnosis could result in additional health-related problems, those that involve the failure to diagnose cancer—or misdiagnosing it as some other condition—may lead to particularly catastrophic results. The same could be true in cases where a doctor mistakenly diagnoses cancer in a patient who does not have it. If you or a loved one have been impacted by one of these types of medical errors, consider contacting a Fullerton cancer misdiagnosis lawyer to see what your legal options may be. A compassionate attorney could stand by your side and ensure that you are able to receive the compensation you deserve.

Impact Of a Misdiagnosis Or Non-Diagnosis

The vast majority of health care in the U.S. is provided by general practitioners and emergency room doctors. Given their pervasive role in treating patients, it is often critically important for these physicians to be adept at identifying life-threatening diseases such as cancer—and subsequently making referrals to appropriate specialists.

Early diagnosis and treatment are especially important for many types of cancer. This is a major reason why a misdiagnosis or non-diagnosis could have such a significant impact on a patient’s treatment options, quality of life, and survival probability.

Legal Implications

A doctor misdiagnosing or failing to diagnose a cancer is not enough by itself to sustain a medical malpractice lawsuit. In this regard, the plaintiff in such a case must also be able to prove that the doctor did not meet the professional standard of care that is required in similar circumstances and that they suffered harm and damages as a direct result of their doctor’s error.

The law does not require doctors to be perfect in making diagnoses, especially with respect to diseases such as cancer that can be difficult to detect in the early stages. However, it does require them to act in the same manner that any reasonable doctor in their field would have.

Pursuing a wrongful death claim for a cancer misdiagnosis or non-diagnosis is even more difficult than pursuing a medical malpractice claim. This is generally because it can be tough to prove that the reason the patient died was a direct cause of the doctor’s error rather than from cancer itself.

Statute of Limitations

Like most other states, California has set deadlines for plaintiffs to file various types of lawsuits. For medical malpractice cases, including cases that involve the failure to diagnose cancer or its misdiagnosis as some other condition, that deadline is three years. This means that any such lawsuit filed more than three years after the date of a doctor’s alleged error or negligence can be dismissed by the court. A cancer misdiagnosis attorney in Fullerton could help someone file a claim within the legal timeframe.

Get in Touch with a Fullerton Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer Today

Successfully pursuing a medical malpractice claim for a cancer misdiagnosis or non-diagnosis usually requires testimony from a team of expert witnesses. Depending on the specifics of a given case, this may include accountants, actuaries, oncologists, radiologists, and other medical specialists. Attorneys who are experienced in dealing with this type of case may have access to a pool of experts they could call upon to provide such testimony.

If you or a loved one have suffered due to a cancer misdiagnosis or non-diagnosis, you should contact a Fullerton cancer misdiagnosis lawyer as soon as possible. Doing so could allow you to discuss the specifics of your case with someone who is experienced in dealing with this type of claim.