Michigan Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyers

Melanoma Misdiagnosis

Malignant melanoma is a serious skin cancer that originates in the pigment-producing cells of the skin. In stage 0 or stage 1, melanoma often has a very high cure rate. However, when the cancer spreads below the surface of the skin (invasive melanoma), it can travel to the lymph nodes and other organs, making it harder to treat and worsening outcomes.

The American Cancer Society projects about 104,960 new cases of invasive melanoma in 2025, with roughly 8,430 deaths, a clear reflection of how deadly malignant melanoma can be.

If a doctor failed to diagnose malignant melanoma, patients may face more aggressive cancer treatment, such as surgery or immunotherapy, that might have been avoidable with early detection and accurate diagnosis. A delayed or missed melanoma diagnosis may provide the basis for a skin cancer misdiagnosis claim under Michigan medical malpractice law.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Misdiagnosis

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) begins in the basal cells of the skin’s lowest layer and is the most common type of non-melanoma skin cancer. It often appears on sun-exposed areas, such as the face or neck, and may resemble harmless lesions, including pimples, scars, or non-healing wounds.

Because BCC generally grows slowly and mimics benign skin changes, it can go unnoticed or be dismissed. If a doctor fails to recognize basal cell carcinoma, ignores lesions, or declines a biopsy, the cancer may quietly grow deeper into surrounding tissue or bone.

Early identification and accurate diagnosis often lead to straightforward removal and excellent cure rates. When medical mistakes delay treatment, patients may need more invasive procedures and face higher emotional and physical consequences. A skin cancer misdiagnosis claim may be appropriate under Michigan medical malpractice law.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Misdiagnosis

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often presents as a red, scaly patch, a wart-like growth, or a persistent sore, particularly on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, or hands. Because it closely resembles benign skin conditions, it is frequently misdiagnosed by health care providers, increasing the risk of delayed treatment and more serious complications.

This cancerous growth can gradually grow deeper and, in rare cases, spread beyond the skin. When a lesion is mistakenly dismissed as eczema, dermatitis, or a wart, early treatment may be delayed, leading to more extensive cancer treatment.

If a healthcare provider overlooks or misclassifies a suspicious bump or scaly patch, especially without ordering a biopsy, that may qualify for a skin cancer misdiagnosis claim. Early skin cancer screening improves treatment success and outcomes.

Consequences of a Misdiagnosis, Delayed Diagnosis, or Failure to Diagnose Skin Cancer

A delayed skin cancer diagnosis can lead to serious consequences. If a healthcare provider delays or misses an accurate diagnosis, skin cancer may grow unchecked, allowing the cancer to spread into deeper tissue or lymph nodes. That progression often triggers more invasive surgeries and painful treatments.

Without early diagnosis, tumors may grow deeper or branch into adjacent structures, even when the patient could have avoided such consequences through timely care. A failure to diagnose cancer accurately can lead to delayed treatment, escalating medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. In worst-case scenarios, it may result in a wrongful death lawsuit.

In Michigan, patients have legal rights if medical mistakes worsen their illness. A claim based on Michigan medical misdiagnosis requires proof that substandard care led to injury or financial harm. Law firms like Lipton Law review medical records, consult medical experts, and document how an incorrect or delayed cancer diagnosis in Michigan directly resulted in harm, death, or the necessity for more aggressive cancer treatment.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis in Michigan?

A Michigan medical malpractice lawyer evaluates whether medical care fell below the standard of care and resulted in harm. In skin cancer misdiagnosis cases, the following parties may face legal responsibility:

• Physicians and specialists, such as primary care doctors, dermatologists, and pathologists, examine skin lesions, order diagnostic testing, and review tissue samples.
• Hospitals and clinics may bear responsibility under vicarious liability when their health care providers, including nurses or technicians, commit diagnostic errors.
• Diagnostic labs and other medical professionals, such as lab technicians or pathology staff, who may mislabel samples or delay pathology results.

Liability can arise when medical professionals fail to consider family history or known risk factors, overlook cancerous growths, or misdiagnose cancer that might have been caught early. A misdiagnosed cancer may lead to delayed treatment or, in some cases, preventable skin cancer deaths.