Screening Guidelines for Lung Cancer

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers Representing Parties Harmed by Negligent Doctors

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and its progression is often silent until the disease has spread significantly. For patients at high risk, such as those with a history of heavy smoking, screening can mean the difference between life-saving treatment and a devastating late-stage diagnosis. As such, screening guidelines for lung cancer play a critical role in detecting the disease in its earliest and most treatable stages, especially for patients who fall within risk categories that warrant preventive testing. When physicians fail to follow appropriate screening guidelines for lung cancer, their negligence may deprive patients of the chance to halt the disease before it advances. If you or a loved one were injured by a doctor’s failure to conduct appropriate screening tests, you may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit, and you should talk to an attorney. The seasoned Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group dedicate their practice to holding negligent health care providers accountable for such carelessness, and if we represent you, we will fight tirelessly on your behalf.

Harm Caused by Ignoring Screening Guidelines for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells form tumors in the lungs and often spreads quickly to other parts of the body. Screening guidelines for lung cancer typically recommend the use of low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for individuals who fall into high-risk categories, such as adults between the ages of 50 and 80 with a long history of smoking. This relatively simple diagnostic tool can detect cancerous changes long before a patient experiences coughing, chest pain, or weight loss.

When a physician fails to recommend or order such screening, a patient may lose the opportunity for early diagnosis, which is associated with better survival rates and less invasive treatments. Instead, patients may be forced to undergo aggressive chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery at later stages, often with diminished chances of recovery.

The harm caused by failing to follow these medical standards extends beyond the physical toll of battling advanced cancer. A missed diagnosis or a delayed diagnosis can cause a cascade of financial hardship, including overwhelming medical bills, the loss of employment or earning capacity, and the cost of long-term care. Patients and their families also endure immense emotional suffering as they grapple with the reality of a disease that might have been manageable had the doctor taken proper preventive action.

Establishing Liability for Failing to Abide by Screening Guidelines for Lung Cancer

Failing to abide by screening guidelines can lead to grave harm, and in many instances, it constitutes medical malpractice. Generally, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case will proceed on a theory of negligence. In Maryland, establishing negligence requires proof of four elements.

First, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed them a duty of care. Generally, this duty arises from the doctor-patient relationship. In the context of preventive medicine, the duty a doctor owes a patient includes keeping up with recognized medical standards and applying appropriate screening guidelines for lung cancer to patients who meet the risk factors.

The second element is breach, which occurs when a defendant deviates from the accepted standard of care. For instance, if a reasonable and prudent doctor would have recommended a low-dose CT scan for a long-term smoker, but the defendant doctor failed to do so, that may constitute a breach of duty. Establishing a breach requires demonstrating what the proper standard of care is and how the defendant’s conduct fell short.

The third element is causation, meaning the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s failure to order screening caused actual harm. This can be challenging in cancer cases because physicians sometimes argue that the disease would have progressed regardless of when it was detected. Typically, a medical expert in the same specialty as the defendant will testify as to how the delayed screening or failure to screen led directly to the patient’s worsened condition, such as a progression from an early-stage, treatable cancer to a terminal diagnosis.

The final element is damages, which refers to the measurable harm the patient has suffered. Damages may include the costs of additional medical care, lost wages or earning capacity, and compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering. Maryland law also recognizes non-economic damages, such as loss of enjoyment of life, although such awards are subject to statutory caps. In certain cases, where negligence is especially egregious, punitive damages may also be considered, though these are rare in medical malpractice cases. The use of expert testimony is not optional in Maryland; it is required to establish both the standard of care and the causal connection between the doctor’s negligence and the patient’s injury.

Speak to an Experienced Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

Screening guidelines for lung cancer exist because they save lives. When a physician ignores these standards, patients may lose critical time and suffer harm that could otherwise have been avoided. If you or someone you love has suffered because a doctor failed to follow screening guidelines for lung cancer, you may have grounds for a lawsuit, and you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group understand the devastating impact that medical negligence can have, and if you engage our services, we will help you seek the compensation you deserve. We have an office conveniently located in Baltimore, and we regularly assist clients throughout Maryland in pursuing claims against negligent health care providers. You can contact us at 410-889-1850 or through our online form to schedule a consultation.