Thousands of women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, usually when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. In many instances, they report symptoms of ovarian cancer for years, but their doctors do not take the steps necessary to obtain timely diagnoses. When a physician neglects to address issues that may indicate ovarian cancer, it can irreparably harm a woman’s health and might be considered negligence. If you or a loved one suffered losses due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose ovarian cancer, you may be able to pursue a malpractice claim, and it is in your best interest to speak to a lawyer. At Arfaa Law Group, our dedicated Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys are mindful of the devastation caused by careless doctors, and if you engage our services, we will fight to help you pursue the best result available
Diagnosing Ovarian CancerSeveral symptoms may indicate ovarian cancer, including abdominal swelling and bloating, unintended weight loss, pelvic pain, a frequent need to urinate, and changes in bowel movements. Certain factors increase the risk of ovarian cancer, like advanced age, a family history of cancer, hormone replacement therapy, and gene mutations. Generally, if a woman reports symptoms that may signify cancer, the doctor will perform a pelvic exam and may order diagnostic imaging and blood tests as well. In some cases, a surgical biopsy is necessary to diagnose ovarian cancer accurately. If a physician delays ordering required tests, improperly interprets test results, or fails to take action after tests show indicate may be present, a patient with cancer may go undiagnosed until after it has spread, making it more challenging to treat.
Elements of a Lawsuit Arising Out of the Failure to Diagnose Ovarian CancerA doctor’s failure to diagnose ovarian cancer may significantly impair a woman’s health, and many women are unable to recover and ultimately lose their battle with the disease. Usually, a missed or delayed ovarian diagnosis is caused by carelessness or inattention. Thus, many women choose to pursue malpractice claims against the doctors that failed to provide them with accurate diagnoses. In Maryland, a plaintiff alleging medical malpractice generally must prove that the defendant healthcare provider acted negligently. This requires the plaintiff show that the defendant had a duty to provide the plaintiff with treatment that met the applicable standard of care. In other words, the defendant was required to offer the plaintiff the care that a reasonable practitioner in the same specialty would provide under the same circumstances.
The plaintiff then has to produce evidence that demonstrates the defendant departed from the standard of care and that the departure proximately caused the plaintiff to sustain damages. This means that the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s acts or omissions were a substantial factor in bringing about the harm suffered and that the plaintiff would not have been injured absent the defendant’s behavior. Typically, a plaintiff will need to hire a medical expert that practices in the same specialty as the defendant to explain to the judge or jury what is required under the standard of care and the manner in which the defendant breached the standard. Expert testimony is also usually needed to link the defendant’s acts to the harm ultimately suffered by the plaintiff.
A plaintiff that proves a defendant’s liability may be able to recover damages for economic losses, such as the cost of medical treatment, out of pocket expenses, and lost wages. Plaintiffs are also usually awarded compensation for noneconomic harm as well, like the mental trauma, pain, and distress endured due to the defendant’s failings.
Speak to a Trusted Attorney in BaltimoreOvarian cancer is a deadly disease, and a timely diagnosis is a key factor in determining a patient’s chance of recovering. If your doctor failed to diagnose your ovarian cancer, you could be owed substantial damages, and you should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible about your options. The trusted attorneys of Arfaa Law Group take pride in helping people harmed by negligent healthcare providers in the pursuit of damages. If you hire us, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. We frequently help injured parties in medical malpractice cases in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can reach us at (410) 9889-1850 or through our online form to schedule a meeting.