We put our trust in healthcare professionals to provide us with high-quality and accurate care. However, when these individuals make a mistake, it can lead to severe consequences.
Some mistakes in the medical realm are more serious than others. If a doctor misdiagnoses cancer, it may result in a person either not receiving the necessary treatment or receiving the wrong type for their condition.
If you have experienced a misdiagnosis, a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney could help you explore your options for seeking compensation. Call KGS Law today to speak with a McAllen cancer misdiagnosis lawyer.
The Financial and Psychological Impacts of a Cancer Misdiagnosis
Cancer treatment can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on factors such as the stage of cancer being treated and the insurance coverage that the patient has. Cancer is progressive, and treatment delays from misdiagnosis can lead to a later stage, increasing the need for more medical interventions and extensive treatments during this decline in health. The misdiagnosis can result in lost income as the person suffers from the illness and deals with the physical side effects of treatment.
The more aggressive treatment measures required to handle the advanced stage of cancer can have psychological impacts on the patient and their family, including loss of quality of life, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. Compensation for both the monetary costs related to the misdiagnosis and the psychological impacts may be sought through medical malpractice claims. A cancer misdiagnosis lawyer in McAllen could help with this process.
Fighting for Compensation After You Have Been Misdiagnosed
Healthcare providers are not legally required to carry medical malpractice insurance in Texas. However, most hospitals require doctors to have a malpractice policy to have privileges in the facility, and hospitals themselves carry malpractice insurance to protect themselves against errors made by staff. While these policies aim to cover the cost of liability if a provider makes an error, medical malpractice insurers are in the business of selling policies, not helping out on claims.
An experienced McAllen cancer misdiagnosis attorney plays a crucial role in the claims process. They can help their client navigate the complex legal and medical aspects of the case, including properly valuing the claim, gathering documentation to prove provider liability and the costs incurred by the patient, negotiating with the medical malpractice insurer in an attempt to reach an out-of-court settlement, or even filing a lawsuit and presenting the case to a judge and jury.
While many medical malpractice cases must be filed in court within two years of the date the misdiagnosis occurred, this time limit can be extended up to ten years if the patient was not immediately aware that a misdiagnosis was made.
Speak With a McAllen Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney From Kinard, Garcia & Saldana
The medical malpractice claims process is challenging, requiring a firm understanding of both medical and legal concepts. When a claim is made against a health care provider, the insurer relies on lawyers to help reduce or even eliminate the claim. It is crucial for the claimant to have their own legal counsel to fight against the insurance company for the compensation they need.
Contact us to speak to a team with extensive experience in handling medical malpractice claims. Our personal injury attorneys could help you learn more about your legal options and the services we provide to assist you with your claim.