Cancer misdiagnosis is more common than most patients realize. How often is cancer misdiagnosed? Studies show that diagnostic errors continue to affect thousands of patients across the United States each year. A delayed diagnosis, incorrect diagnosis, or failure to identify cancer early can lead to life-threatening consequences. Understanding how cancer misdiagnoses occur helps patients recognize potential warning signs and take legal action when necessary.
At
Lipton Law, our
Southfield cancer misdiagnosis attorneys help individuals and family members harmed by misdiagnosed cancer pursue justice. Our legal team holds medical professionals accountable when doctors fail to provide an accurate diagnosis or follow proper standards of care.
If you suspect a cancer misdiagnosis, call
(248) 557-1688 or
contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Michigan.
Understanding the Impact of a Cancer Misdiagnosis
A doctor misdiagnoses cancer when test results or symptoms are interpreted incorrectly. A wrong treatment plan or unreasonable delay in identifying cancer can quickly reduce a patient’s chances for recovery.
A delayed diagnosis allows serious disease progression, limits cancer treatment options, and may cause premature or preventable death. An incorrect diagnosis can also expose a patient to toxic medications or unnecessary surgeries while the actual illness worsens. Misdiagnosed cases frequently lead to emotional distress, financial strain, and long-term health problems for patients and family members.
What are the Types of Cancer Misdiagnoses?
Cancer misdiagnoses can take several forms, each with potentially life-altering consequences. Below are some of the different types of cancer misdiagnoses that medical professionals may make.
Delayed Diagnosis
Early detection saves lives. A delayed diagnosis may result from ignored symptoms, incomplete testing, or lost medical records. Delayed treatment allows the disease to spread and makes recovery more difficult. If your cancer diagnosis was delayed due to negligence, a
Michigan delayed diagnosis attorney at Lipton Law can review your medical records and pursue a medical malpractice claim for financial compensation.
Failure to Diagnose Cancer
When a doctor diagnoses the wrong disease or overlooks test results, diagnostic errors may cause a total failure to diagnose cancer. Patients are deprived of the care needed to manage a life-threatening illness. Missed or ignored lung cancer symptoms, unexplained lumps, or bleeding can all signal a failure to diagnose. Our
Southfield failure to diagnose lawyers can investigate and hold negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm caused by missed diagnoses.
Incorrect Cancer Diagnosis
An incorrect diagnosis can cause devastating harm. Patients may endure incorrect treatment, such as unnecessary surgery or chemotherapy, while their actual condition progresses. A doctor who provides the wrong original diagnosis can change the course of the patient’s life. If you or a loved one experienced this type of error, contact our Michigan law firm to discuss your rights.
Cancer Misdiagnosis Statistics in Michigan
According to a 2023 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association,
up to 800,000 people may be harmed or killed by medical misdiagnosis every year in the United States. Additionally, while not all cases of misdiagnosis result in medical malpractice claims, multiple studies report that cancer misdiagnosis was the most common reason for previously filed medical malpractice claims.
One study found missed cancer diagnosis to be the cause of
46% of primary care diagnostic errors. Another Johns Hopkins study found missed cancer diagnosis to be the cause of
37.8% of all diagnostic errors leading to death or serious harm or disability.
What Causes Cancer Misdiagnosis?
Oftentimes, cancer misdiagnosis occurs as a result of preventable errors, such as medical malpractice and diagnostic errors. If you or a loved one has suffered from a cancer misdiagnosis, contact a
Michigan medical misdiagnosis lawyer at Lipton Law regarding your case.
Medical Negligence
Medical negligence happens when a doctor or healthcare provider breaches the standard of care. Failing to take a complete medical history, ignoring worsening symptoms, or skipping further testing can all lead to misdiagnosed cancer. In Michigan, a medical malpractice claim requires proof that negligence directly caused harm or preventable death. Our attorneys review medical records to determine what went wrong and build a case for recovery.
Diagnostic Errors
Even with advanced medical technology, diagnostic errors remain a significant cause of cancer misdiagnoses. This can include misinterpreting imaging scans, mishandling biopsy samples, or relying on false positive tests or incomplete medical histories. These errors can prevent someone from receiving a correct diagnosis, delaying critical treatment or leading to unnecessary interventions, which can put a patient’s health and lives at risk.
What Types of Cancer Are Most Commonly Misdiagnosed?
Certain cancer cases, including breast cancer or prostate cancer, are prone to diagnostic mistakes. Their symptoms can mimic other diseases, and these misdiagnosed results often lead to a wrong treatment plan or delayed medical care.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed cancers, often mistaken for benign conditions like cysts or fibrocystic changes. Delays in diagnosis or incorrect interpretations of tests can allow the cancer to progress, reducing treatment options and survival rates. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a misdiagnosis of breast cancer, our
failure to diagnose breast cancer lawyers in Southfield, MI can help you pursue a claim to hold negligent medical providers accountable.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer symptoms, such as a persistent cough or chest pain, are frequently misattributed to less serious conditions like bronchitis or asthma. Misread imaging scans or a failure to conduct further testing can lead to delayed or missed diagnoses, worsening patient outcomes. If you have been impacted by a lung cancer misdiagnosis, our Michigan medical malpractice legal team can help you file a claim and seek the compensation you deserve.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer misdiagnoses often occur when symptoms like abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits are attributed to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or hemorrhoids. If you’ve experienced harm due to a colorectal cancer misdiagnosis, our
Southfield failure to diagnose colon cancer attorneys can guide you through the claims process to seek justice.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can appear as a harmless mole or rash, leading to a doctor misdiagnoses cancer error. Missing the early warning signs of melanoma may result in life-threatening progression. Early detection through proper testing is essential for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Can You Seek Compensation for Cancer Misdiagnosis?
Yes. Michigan law allows patients injured by medical malpractice to pursue financial compensation through a medical malpractice claim. Victims of cancer misdiagnosis can recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, emotional suffering, and other losses.
If cancer misdiagnosis occurs due to negligence, family members of those who suffer a preventable death may also file a
wrongful death due to medical malpractice in MI claim. Lipton Law has secured significant settlements, including
$3.15 million in a settlement for a breast cancer misdiagnosis case.
Our attorneys handle cancer cases involving
failure to diagnose prostate cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, and colorectal cancer. Each case focuses on proving negligence through medical records, expert testimony, and diagnostic tests that show errors in the original diagnosis.
What to Do If You Suspect Cancer Misdiagnosis
If you believe a doctor diagnoses the wrong disease, act quickly. Seek a second opinion to confirm or correct your diagnosis. Obtain copies of your medical records, lab reports, and test results to evaluate the accuracy of your care.
Consult a
Southfield, MI, medical malpractice attorney experienced in cancer misdiagnosis cases. An attorney can determine whether medical professionals made diagnostic mistakes and whether a medical malpractice claim is appropriate. Michigan has strict filing deadlines, so do not delay in protecting your rights.
Contact the Michigan Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyers at Lipton Law Today
A misdiagnosed cancer can change every part of a person’s life. Patients face emotional distress, physical decline, and financial hardship due to doctors fail to diagnose or treat the disease properly.
At Lipton Law, our medical malpractice lawyers in Southfield, Michigan, represent clients who suffer harm from cancer misdiagnoses and delayed treatment. Our attorneys work to hold medical professionals accountable and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call
(248) 557-1688 or fill out our
online contact form to schedule your free consultation today.
