Vaginal cancer is a rare but devastating diagnosis. In many instances, women with vaginal cancer respond well to treatment, but their prognosis depends on many things, including the stage at which they received their diagnosis. As such, missed and delayed diagnoses can negatively impact their health and life expectancy. If you sustained losses due to a physician’s careless failure to diagnose vaginal cancer, you have the right to seek compensation, and it is in your best interest to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The assertive Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group dedicate their practice to helping people harmed by negligent health care providers seek justice for their losses, and if we represent you, we will advocate vigorously on your behalf.
Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal CancerVaginal cancer is an illness in which malignant cells develop within the vagina. Women who are older or who have previously had an HPV infection are at greater risk of developing vaginal cancer, as are those who underwent a hysterectomy or were exposed to certain chemicals.
Women with vaginal cancer often seek medical care due to abnormal bleeding or pain with intercourse or when urinating. Some women with vaginal cancer experience constipation or discover lumps in their vaginal or pelvic areas. When women present with symptoms that may indicate vaginal cancer, their doctors will typically obtain their medical history and conduct physical examinations and blood tests. If they suspect vaginal cancer, they will order a biopsy. Treatment for vaginal cancer may include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Lawsuits Arising Out of the Failure to Diagnose Vaginal CancerWomen who observe abnormalities in their reproductive systems will often turn to their doctors to obtain a diagnosis and any necessary care. When physicians overlook worrisome symptoms or neglect to take the measures needed to determine the cause of a woman’s issues, it can, unfortunately, result in the failure to diagnose vaginal cancer.
A woman harmed by her doctor’s incompetent failure to provide a timely diagnosis may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit. In most instances, a plaintiff harmed by a doctor’s failure to provide a timely diagnosis will assert a medical negligence claim against the defendant. In Maryland, to prove negligence in the context of medical care, a plaintiff must demonstrate a duty owed by the defendant and a breach of the duty.
Generally, the duty imposed on medical professionals is to provide treatment that comports with the standard of care, which is the care that a reasonable professional working in the same specialty would offer when presented with the same circumstances. Generally, the plaintiff will need to hire a medical expert to explain to the judge or jury what the standard of care dictates and how the defendant deviated from their obligations under the standard.
The plaintiff then must prove there is a causal link between the defendant’s breach and their injuries, and they must show that they sustained actual damages. In other words, they must show that the defendant’s actions or omissions were a substantial factor in bringing about their losses and that they would not have been harmed had the defendant complied with the standard of care, which usually requires expert testimony as well. A plaintiff that demonstrates a defendant’s liability may be able to recover compensation for their economic harm, such as the cost of medical care or lost wages, and for their noneconomic damages, which usually consist of pain, mental anguish, emotional trauma, and suffering.
Speak to a Capable Baltimore AttorneyVaginal cancer is often treatable, but a timely diagnosis is essential to favorable treatment outcomes. If you were harmed by a doctor’s failure to diagnose vaginal cancer, you might be owed damages, and you should speak to an attorney about your potential claims. The capable Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group can advise of your options and aid you in pursuing any compensation available under the law. We regularly represent people in medical malpractice cases in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us by calling 410-889-1850 or using our online form to schedule a confidential and free meeting.