Unfortunately, some medical professionals will use outdated techniques as they test patients to determine if they are suffering from a health condition. They may even fail to diagnose a deadly condition such as lung cancer. If this happens, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

There are several symptoms that can be warning signs of lung cancer. Patients can experience a shortness of breath, hoarseness, a loss of appetite, a persistent cough, chest pain and wheezing.

The Consequences of a Delayed Diagnosis

Lung cancer is one of the most deadly cancers. It is more lethal than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer combined. If you have risk factors for lung cancer, your doctor is expected to test you for this condition. 

Doctors should provide low-dose screenings for patients who are considered high-risk. Patients who have failed to undergo screening are the victims of medical malpractice when a reasonable doctor would recommend a scan. The medical practitioners who are the most likely to be held responsible for failing to diagnose are radiologists. They may incorrectly read an image. Or they might read the image properly but fail to follow through. Patients who undergo a screening should always follow up.

The Costs of a Delayed Diagnosis

Lung cancer misdiagnosis can lead to delayed treatment. This can negatively affect your outcome by causing your cancer to move to a later stage where it is more difficult to treat. The later the stage, the more expensive and invasive the treatment will have to be. However, a medical malpractice lawsuit can allow you to pay for these costs.

Seeking Compensation for a Delayed Diagnosis

To seek compensation for a missed diagnosis, you will need to establish that the physician treated you, that you didn't take any steps to avoid a diagnosis such as missing appointments, and that you suffered damages as a result. You will then need to calculate the increased medical costs and pain and suffering you experienced.

If you believe that your lung cancer was not treated promptly due to negligence by your physician, contact a lung cancer lawyer as soon as possible. Without compensation, you may find yourself hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt with no way to pay it off. Even if you have the savings to pay for your treatment, you do not deserve to suffer financial damages as a result of the negligence of your doctor.

To learn more, contact a lung cancer lawyer.