Failure to Diagnose Terminal Illness

Where terminal illnesses are concerned, accurate and swift diagnosis is critical in ensuring quality and length of life. Just because an illness is terminal, that doesn’t mean that diagnosis should be delayed or inaccurate. People facing terminal illnesses have a right to accurate and timely diagnosis. With many types of terminal illnesses, early intervention can make the difference between weeks, months or even years of quality time with one’s family members and loved ones. If you lost a loved one due to a failure to diagnose a terminal illness, it’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer who has proven medical malpractice case experience. You may be entitled to damages associated with the failure to diagnose the terminal illness.

Terminal Illnesses are Time Sensitive

The thing about terminal illnesses is that they’re time sensitive. Every second, every minute, every hour and every day counts. In many cases, quality and length of life can be greatly improved through accurate and timely diagnosis. Failing to diagnose a terminal illness can rob patients of critical quality and time spent with their loved ones. Just because a disease or illness is terminal, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t treatments that can improve quality of life and lengthen a person’s life. Even without a cure, many terminal illnesses can be managed, if they’re diagnosed accurately and early.

DELAYS OR ERRORS IN DIAGNOSING CANCER 

Cancer is one of those illnesses that is better diagnosed swiftly and accurately. The sooner cancer is diagnosed; the better outcome is possible for the patient. Delays and errors in diagnosing cancer can rob a person of critical time with family members and loved ones. If caught early, many cancers care highly treatable and can leave patients with quality and length of life. If diagnose is delayed or an error is made in diagnosing, cancer can spread to the point of no return.

Early Intervention is Critical for Diagnosis and Treatment 

With just about any type of terminal illness, whether it is cancer or some other type of disease, early intervention is critical. Catching cancer or some other type of potentially fatal illness early is absolutely essential for treating it effectively. Patients who receive early intervention for cancer and other types of potentially terminal illnesses have much better outcomes than those who were misdiagnosed or where diagnosis was delayed.

Medical Negligence and Failure to Diagnose 

When we’re sick and we go to see our doctors, we’re counting on them to find out what’s going on in our bodies. We should have confidence that they’re proficient and thorough in their jobs and that they can accurately diagnose and treat illnesses as they’re presented. Depending upon the circumstances of your individual case, a failure to diagnose can mean medical negligence. After any type of failure to diagnose, delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis, it’s critical to determine exactly what happened. If medical negligence was involved, you or your family may be entitled to compensation. After a failure to diagnose a terminal illness, it’s necessary to have a thorough and comprehensive investigation conducted to determine what went wrong and where the care fell through the cracks.