Having cancer can involve a long and scary fight. Fortunately, thanks to advancements in medical treatments and technology, cancer patients have a greater chance now of survival than ever before. The timing of cancer detection, however, is still a crucial and critical factor in combating the disease. An early diagnosis, in fact, can be the difference between life and death. The earlier someone’s cancer is discovered and treated, the better the chances of them recovering. That is why it is crucial that doctors do not misdiagnose or ignore the symptoms of cancer; if they do, they may be held liable for medical malpractice resulting from their negligence.
This was the unfortunate position one Massachusetts man found himself after his cancerous kidney mass was repeatedly not properly diagnosed. The man underwent a routine CT scan in preparation for colon surgery when technicians noticed a mass in his right kidney. The man was then referred to a urologist who ordered an additional CT scan. The mass was again shown, but the urologist was not convinced that it was malignant. The doctor ordered an MRI, and concluded that the man should wait for a “long-term interval follow-up.”
Instead of scheduling a surgery, the urologist chose an “active surveillance” of the man’s kidneys and had him come in for a CT scan every six months. The patient and his wife asked the urologist to perform a biopsy, but he refused citing a concern that it could do more harm than good. Eighteen months later, the man was diagnosed with a widely metastatic renal cell carcinoma and died three weeks later.
The man’s widow filed a wrongful death and medical malpractice lawsuit against the urologist and the hospital. Her attorneys, Patrick Jones and Donna Corcoran, argued that the urologist breached his duty of care by failing to properly diagnose the man’s cancer and that his refusal to perform a biopsy was in direct contradiction with modern medicine and appropriate and proper procedures. The widow ultimately agreed to settle her lawsuit for $1.4 million.
Have you or a family member been injured due to medical malpractice? If so, our Boston medical malpractice attorneys will make sure that you receive the money damages that you justly deserve. Our team of Boston injury lawyer specialists have spent decades serving our Massachusetts personal injury clients. Please call us at 617-787-3700, 24/7, or email us at info@gilhoylaw.com today for your free and confidential consultation. Your needs are our top priority!
