Malpractice Lawsuits for Misdiagnosis?

Its interesting fredntan, because even so called cases that are "unwinnable" could go into settlement prior to trail. The question would be whether it would be thrown out by a judge or be allowed to proceed. 

This is an interesting thread to stumble upon because my situation is similar to what many have previously discussed...My breast tissue has always been very lumpy. I'm not sure if this also means it was dense. In my twenties I went in for ultra sounds for cycsts. The results were that they were benign. At age 31 I went in for a mammo and u/s. Again, was told I was fine. I went a year later and bam stage 3 cancer in the exact area that had a lump for a while (at least a couple years). I have a hard time believing that the tumor grew that much in just a year. And after my diagnosis I learned that my prior test results showed calcifications and other areas of concern that should have been biopsied. It is beyond frustrating to see that so many of us are in the same boat because someone dropped the ball somewhere along the line. It seems that medical professionals assume that since we are young it isn't cancer. All I ever hear about is early detection and how it saves lives and it makes me want to scream because I had been getting tests done and going to the doctor. I was on top of it and look where that got me. Something needs to change so this madness ends! 

Grover-are you planning to sue that radiologist? Or your primary for not giving better advice for follow up? I a,m struggling with these decisions now-?-! Much like you the radiologist was wrong at the starting gate, but my primary did not consider my other treatment or diagnoses.

I also ask- because I am in northern Virginia - if you are in Maryland and have a good attorney o suggest even better!

In July, 2017, two days before my 38th birthday, I learned that I had breast cancer. Shortly after that, I learned that I had metastatic breast cancer, stage IV, HER2 Positive. In October, 2016, approximately two weeks after noticing the lump in my breast, I went to my previous family doctor requesting that he refer me for a mammogram. A student intern barely examined me and said that it was a cyst, measuring approximately 4cm. The lump was a solid, firm mass. I was sent away with no referral for a mammogram and my previous family doctor did not examine me. In January, 2017, I returned to my previous family doctor for a prescription and I told him the lump was still there & that it didn't hurt. I asked him if that was a bad sign. My previous family doctor said that some cysts do not hurt and sent me away without examining my breast. In May, 2017 I went to another doctor at a walk-in clinic regarding a cough I had that turned out to be mild bronchitis. I also told this doctor about the lump in my breast, since it had not gone away. He felt the lump and referred me for an urgent mammogram, which I never heard back from. For this reason, I went to a third doctor in approximately June, 2017 offered through the university clinic, since I am a full-time student. This was the first time I had a thorough breast exam and the doctor referred me for an urgent mammogram, which was finally completed on July 4th, 2017 when I also had an ultrasound & biopsy. The Radiologist told me the day these tests were completed that it was "most likely cancer". I should specify that the lump in my breast was measured at approximately 4cm when I first went to my previous family doctor in October, 2016. When I had the mammogram in July, 2017 it measured just over 6cm. After the biopsy and right before I started chemo in September, 2017, it measured 15cm x 16cm. The cancer has travelled to my hip bones, pelvic bone, liver & possibly my ovary. I should also mention that I live in Canada.

I am sharing my story in the hopes that someone might be able to provide me with their legal and/or medical opinion in terms of medical negligence, since I would like to pursue a legal case against my previous family doctor. I really appreciate any helpful input, advice and/or informed opinion.

There are several ladies on this forum who are former lawyers and current ones. I would at least get a consultation with an attorney. It’s free.

Diane

it’s very hard to win a malpractice suit. However, a civil suit can be brought.