Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Breast cancer is often first suspected when a lump is felt or when a mammogram shows an abnormality. Most of the time, these suspicious areas do not turn out to be cancer, but follow-up testing is needed. In some cases, cancer can be ruled out with additional mammograms or other imaging techniques, but a biopsy may be necessary. A needle biopsy involves the removal of tissue or cell samples from the breast with a needle. A surgical biopsy involves the removal of tissue samples from the breast with a surgical incision.
How does breast cancer go undetected?
Here are some common medical mistakes and errors that can cause a preventable delay in diagnosing breast cancer:
- Improper reading or reporting of mammograms
- Failure to recommend routine mammogram screening
- Failure to order mammogram for women at increased risk
- Failure to perform breast examination
- Failure to adequately investigate suspicious findings
- Failure to refer to a surgeon when indicated
- Failure to properly follow up on mammogram findings
- Failure to coordinate or communicate with other medical care providers
What kind of harm can be caused by delayed diagnosis of breast cancer?
The types of harm which can be caused by delayed damage of breast cancer include:
- Premature death
- Inoperable cancer
- Severe physical pain
- Loss of reproductive and other organs
- Scaring and disfigurement
- Treatment which is more invasive, aggressive, and painful
- Treatment which is significantly more expensive
- Significantly increased recovery time
- Lost wages
- Long-term or permanent disability
I have lost a loved one due to a failure to diagnose breast cancer. Do I still have a case?
If you have lost a loved one to medical malpractice you may still be entitled to compensation under wrongful death.
What can I do if I am the victim of failure to diagnose breast cancer?
If you or a loved one has been injured or lost their life due to what you suspect may have been a failure to diagnose breast cancer, you may be entitled to compensation including:
- Current and future medical bills
- Current and future loss of wages
- Long-term disability
- Long-term care expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Burial expenses
Collectively, New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers Michael L. Weiss, Esq. and Robert E. Paarz, Esq. have presented over 30 medical malpractice cases relating to the failure to diagnose breast cancer to juries and have helped many families achieve substantial financial recoveries. They are committed to using their knowledge and experience to help any individual or family who has suffered a severe, permanent injury or death due to medical malpractice to obtain fair compensation. If you believe you or a loved one may have experienced such an injury, please contact Weiss & Paarz, P.C. today.