Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadliest forms of cancer in the United States, and its prognosis is significantly influenced by the stage at which it is diagnosed. As such, monitoring for signs and symptoms of lung cancer is critical, particularly for individuals with known risk factors such as smoking history, exposure to carcinogens, or a family history of cancer. When doctors neglect their duty to identify early warning signs, their patients often suffer irreversible harm. If you believe that a delay in diagnosis or failure to address symptoms of lung cancer caused you harm, you may be owed compensation, and you should talk to an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have ample experience demonstrating that diagnostic delays constitute medical malpractice, and if we represent you, we will gather the evidence needed to provide you with a strong chance of a favorable outcome.
Monitoring for signs and symptoms of lung cancer involves both active screening and responsive evaluation of patient-reported issues. Common indicators may include persistent coughing, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), and recurrent respiratory infections. In individuals with known risk factors, physicians are expected to assess these symptoms with a heightened degree of clinical suspicion. Failure to do so can result in missed opportunities for early diagnosis, during which the disease may still be localized and amenable to curative treatment.
The harm associated with neglecting to monitor for signs and symptoms of lung cancer is often profound and permanent. Lung cancer that is not identified in its early stages may progress to involve lymph nodes, distant organs, or the pleural space, significantly diminishing the likelihood of survival. Patients whose cancer is diagnosed late often face more aggressive treatment, poorer prognoses, diminished quality of life, and significantly higher mortality rates. These consequences are not merely medical but profoundly personal, affecting a patient’s livelihood, emotional well-being, and family relationships. In some cases, a failure to diagnose may cut short the opportunity for patients to make informed decisions about their care or say goodbye to loved ones.
People who suffer harm due to their doctor’s inadequate monitoring for signs and symptoms of lung cancer will often pursue claims against the provider responsible for their losses. A plaintiff pursuing a medical malpractice claim typically proceeds on a theory of negligence. In Maryland, to establish negligence, a plaintiff must prove four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. Duty refers to the obligation that every healthcare provider has to offer their patients care that aligns with accepted medical standards. In this context, that duty may include appropriately evaluating respiratory complaints, ordering diagnostic imaging such as chest X-rays or CT scans, referring to pulmonologists when needed, and ensuring timely follow-up.
When a provider fails to offer competent care, it may be considered a breach of the duty owed. The plaintiff then has to show that the defendant’s breach proximately caused the plaintiff’s harm, which means that, but for the defendant’s acts or omissions, the plaintiff would not have sustained losses. Finally, the plaintiff needs to prove that they suffered measurable harm. In most cases, the plaintiff will need to rely on expert testimony to demonstrate the applicable standard of care, causation, and damages.
If a plaintiff demonstrates the defendant’s fault, they may be granted compensation for their economic and non-economic harm. Economic damages include the cost of medical care, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and future healthcare needs. Non-economic damages encompass pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The failure to properly monitor for signs and symptoms of lung cancer can result in devastating consequences that alter the trajectory of a person’s life. If you or someone you love has been affected by a delay in diagnosis or mismanagement of symptoms, you may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice claim under Maryland law, and you should contact an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our knowledgeable Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys are committed to advocating for individuals who have suffered due to substandard medical care, and if we represent you, we will fight to hold the parties responsible for your harm accountable. Our office is located in Baltimore, we represent clients throughout the city and surrounding communities. To speak with an attorney about your potential case, call us at 410-889-1850 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.
