Rectal cancer is a serious medical condition that requires timely detection for the best possible prognosis. In other words, a missed or delayed diagnosis can drastically affect a patient’s chances of survival, forcing them to undergo more aggressive treatments that might have been avoidable. Patients rely on medical professionals to recognize early warning signs and take appropriate action, but when healthcare providers fail to meet these expectations, the consequences can be catastrophic. The failure to diagnose rectal cancer not only puts a patient’s life at risk but also imposes significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. If you or a loved were injured by a doctor’s failure to diagnose rectal cancer, you should talk to an attorney about what compensation may be available. The seasoned Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group know how to succeed in claims against negligent physicians, and if you hire us, we can advise you of the damages for failure to diagnose rectal cancer and aid you in pursuing the best legal result possible under the facts of your case.
Failure to diagnose rectal cancer in its early stages can lead to severe and often irreversible harm. When the disease progresses undetected, it can spread beyond the rectum to nearby lymph nodes and distant organs, complicating treatment and reducing survival rates. A missed diagnosis may force patients to endure more aggressive interventions such as extensive surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, leading to increased physical suffering and long-term health complications.
The emotional and financial toll of a delayed rectal cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. In addition to physical pain, patients often experience anxiety, depression, and a diminished quality of life. Families are burdened with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the uncertainty of their loved one’s prognosis. In cases where the failure to diagnose rectal cancer results in death, surviving family members may struggle with the loss of companionship and financial support.
Seeking damages for failure to diagnose rectal cancer can provide much-needed financial relief and hold negligent medical providers accountable for their actions. Victims of a delayed rectal cancer diagnosis may be entitled to various forms of compensation. Economic damages include the financial impact of medical treatments, hospitalizations, medications, and future care needs. If the patient can no longer work due to their condition, they may also seek compensation for lost wages and diminished earning potential.
Non-economic damages account for the physical and emotional suffering caused by a delayed diagnosis. These damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Maryland law places a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, but economic damages remain uncapped, ensuring that victims can seek full financial recovery for their losses.
For families who have lost a loved one due to a failure to diagnose rectal cancer, wrongful death claims may provide additional compensation. These claims can cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a family member.
Before recovering damages for failure to diagnose rectal cancer, a plaintiff must prove the defendant should be held legally responsible for their harm. To establish liability in a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff must prove that the healthcare provider had a duty to provide treatment that aligns with the appropriate standard of care, and that the provider breached this duty by failing to recognize symptoms, order necessary tests, or interpret diagnostic results correctly. The plaintiff also has to prove that this breach directly caused harm to the patient by allowing the cancer to progress to an advanced stage, and that the patient suffered damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or wrongful death. Expert medical testimony is typically required to establish what a competent physician would have done under similar circumstances and how the provider’s negligence led to harm.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a missed rectal cancer diagnosis, legal action may be the best path toward justice and compensation. The experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys at Arfaa Law Group understand the devastating impact of diagnostic failures and are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve. We provide compassionate and aggressive legal representation to victims of medical negligence throughout Baltimore and the surrounding areas. Contact us online or call 410-889-1850 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.