Pittsburgh Failure To Diagnose Lung Cancer Lawyers

Results-Driven Medical Malpractice Lawyers Advocate For Pennsylvania Patients Whose Doctors Failed To Diagnose Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in both women and men, in spite of lung cancer rates decreasing nationally as cigarette smoking has declined. When lung cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage, when the cancer is small and prior to it spreading, the lung cancer is more likely to be treated successfully.

When a medical practitioner fails to diagnose lung cancer, it has a significant negative impact on the patient’s treatment and prognosis. When a doctor’s negligence — in the form of action or inaction — causes a failure in the diagnosis of lung cancer, the patient may file a claim of medical malpractice to recover damages. Results-driven medical malpractice lawyers at Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC are experienced in handling claims stemming from a failure to diagnose lung cancer and are dedicated to advocating for those who have suffered harm.

Pennsylvania Personal Injury Law Protects Those Harmed By A Doctor’s Failure To Diagnose Lung Cancer

Personal injury law protects those who have been harmed by another person or entity’s negligence, including medical negligence. Those individuals that have suffered harm may file a medical malpractice claim to recover compensation for their losses. 

A claim of medical malpractice may be filed against doctors, nurses, medical workers, hospitals, medical facilities, or other healthcare professionals involved in the patient’s care. Negligent behavior may be exhibited in different ways, including a failure to test a patient in a timely manner, an omission in the patient’s care, by an error in medical diagnosis, by providing improper medical treatment, or by failing to adequately care for a patient after the patient has been discharged.

When filing for medical malpractice in the Pennsylvania courts, there are several key components that must be evident in order to pursue a claim. These include the following:

• A violation of the patient’s standard of care
• The injury sustained by the patient must have been caused by negligence
• The injury sustained by the patient must have resulted in significant damages

If a doctor failed to diagnose lung cancer for you or a loved one and you question whether you have the basis for a medical malpractice claim, it is best to discuss your case with a skilled medical malpractice attorney. At Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC, our medical malpractice legal team offers a free case evaluation to provide insight into your case and enable you to make the most informed decision possible in your situation.

Pennsylvania Statute Of Limitations For Medical Malpractice Claims Based On A Failure To Diagnose Lung Cancer 

You may be familiar with the term “statute of limitations”. This refers to the legal deadline for filing a claim in a state’s civil court system. Every state establishes their own statutes of limitations and they vary based upon the type of claim that is being filed. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims — such as a claim of a failed diagnosis of lung cancer — is two years from the time the harm was inflicted. 

The clock starts ticking on the statute of limitations timeline at the point in which the injured party became aware that there was a missed diagnosis, or the point in time when they should have been aware that the injury occurred. Claims of medical malpractice in Pennsylvania may not be filed after seven years has passed from the time the injury took place, or the time in which the patient became aware or should have been aware that the medical malpractice occurred. The exception to this deadline is when a foreign object has been left inside of a patient.

If you or a loved one believe that your medical practitioner’s failure to diagnose your lung cancer was the result of negligence, you may file a claim for medical malpractice. But be sure to adhere to Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations. These are strict legal deadlines; if your medical malpractice claim is filed outside of this legal window, then the court will dismiss your case. 

What Type Of Compensation Can I Recover For My Doctor’s Failure To Diagnose Lung Cancer?

When your doctor is negligent and this causes you harm, such as in the case of a physician’s failure to diagnose lung cancer, you may bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against the negligent party. Medical malpractice claims may be filed against doctors, nurses, hospitals, medical facilities, and healthcare workers.

In filing a claim of medical malpractice, the injured patient may seek to recover compensation for their losses, which include the following general damages: 

• Physical pain
• Mental anguish
• Physical suffering
• Emotional suffering
• The loss of one’s life enjoyment

Injured patients may also recover the following special damages:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages due to time away from work
• Loss of earning capacity
• Cost of future medical expenses as a result of the medical negligence

For general damages, which have immeasurable value, the courts will consider all aspects of your medical malpractice claim to assign a monetary value to those losses.

Compassionate Medical Malpractice Lawyers Are Dedicated To Protecting The Rights Of Those Injured By A Doctor’s Failure To Diagnose Lung Cancer

We expect our doctors to take care of us. Not only when we are ill; we expect them to take measures to keep us healthy. And when someone entrusted with our medical care behaves negligently and we are harmed as a result, it is a betrayal, unlike all others. 

If your doctor failed to diagnose lung cancer, unfortunately, there aren’t any actions to take to reverse that failure. There are, however, steps you can take that will impact your future and the future of other patients. Hold your medical practitioner responsible for their negligent actions and recover just compensation for the harm you have suffered.

At Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of those who have been injured by medical negligence. Our medical malpractice attorneys are skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate. We advocate for you so that you can focus on your medical needs.

Schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our team to make the most informed decision regarding your case.