Many illnesses require early detection and treatment to prevent serious complications. Cancer is one of the most significant. If a doctor failed to diagnose you with cancer and your illness progressed as a result, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. The Las Cruces cancer misdiagnosis lawyers at Coates & Johnson can help you seek money for your medical bills, pain, suffering, and other damages.
We have extensive experience handling delayed and missed diagnosis cases (more than 60 years of experience) in Las Cruces, NM. We know how to figure out what went wrong and who’s responsible for your illness or condition. Contact our misdiagnosis lawyer in Las Cruces today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your case.
Why Choose Coates & Johnson for Your Malpractice Case?
It takes experienced representation and qualified medical experts to help determine if you suffered an aggravated form of cancer due to a missed or delayed diagnosis. Coates & Johnson has decades of experience handling complex malpractice cases in Las Cruces, NM.
Clients trust us because:
- Our practice is devoted 100% to medical malpractice cases
- Our team includes a lawyer who also has an M.D., giving us uncommon insights into the medical standards that govern healthcare in New Mexico
- Our attorneys have evaluated and handled thousands of medical malpractice claims, including many missed and delayed diagnosis claims
- Our two partners are involved with each case throughout the litigation process
- We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney fees if we win
Contact Coates & Johnson to speak with a Las Cruces medical malpractice attorney about your case. We can help you determine if you have rights against a healthcare facility or provider.
How An Attorney Can Help With a Delayed or Missed Diagnosis Case
Proving a delayed or missed diagnosis claim can be complex. Not every cancer is detectable early on. Under New Mexico law, you must show that a healthcare provider failed to follow accepted medical standards and that this failure caused the condition to worsen or reduced the opportunity for effective treatment.
An experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist by:
- Reviewing medical records and diagnostic test results
- Consulting qualified medical experts to determine whether you received appropriate testing or referrals
- Evaluating how the delay affected your diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term health
- Identifying all healthcare providers who may have contributed to the failure to diagnose
- Calculating your financial and personal losses caused by the delay in treatment
Your cancer misdiagnosis attorney in Las Cruces can help you comply with the unique procedural rules in such cases and ensure that those who caused your condition to worsen are held to account. Call Coates & Johnson to learn more about what our attorneys can do for you.
What is a Delayed or Missed Cancer Diagnosis?
A delayed or missed diagnosis often involves overlooked symptoms, misinterpreted test results, or a failure to order necessary diagnostic testing in the process of analyzing whether a patient has cancer. These cases may arise when physicians dismiss symptoms, delay referrals to specialists, or fail to recognize warning signs of serious illness.
In many situations, prompt diagnosis is critical to preventing complications or improving cancer treatment outcomes. Many types of cancer are involved in delayed diagnosis claims, including:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Skin cancer, including melanoma
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Brain tumors
- Leukemia and lymphoma
Not every delayed diagnosis is considered malpractice. A successful claim must show that a reasonably competent healthcare provider would have recognized the condition earlier and that an earlier diagnosis would likely have improved your outcome.
Providers Responsible for Failing to Diagnose Cancer
In some cases, failing to diagnose involves a single provider who overlooked warning signs. In others, multiple healthcare professionals may contribute to the delay, especially in cases where there are multiple referrals.
Healthcare providers who may be responsible for a delayed cancer diagnosis include:
- Primary care physicians who fail to recognize cancer symptoms or refer a patient for appropriate diagnostic testing
- Specialists who fail to properly evaluate abnormal findings
- Radiologists who misread imaging studies such as CT scans, MRIs, or mammograms
- Pathologists who incorrectly analyze biopsy samples or laboratory results
- Surgeons or oncologists who fail to recognize cancer during procedures or follow-up care
- Hospitals and healthcare systems that fail to properly coordinate care or communicate test results between providers
Since cancer diagnosis requires many steps, an investigation is generally needed to determine where things went wrong in the treatment chain and who should have been able to diagnose cancer but didn’t
What Damages Can I Recover in a Failure to Diagnose Malpractice Claim?
When a missed cancer diagnosis causes serious harm, patients may be entitled to compensation for the losses associated with the worsened condition.
If you have a medical malpractice claim, your damages may include:
- Medical expenses related to the condition
- Additional treatment required because the diagnosis was delayed
- Future medical care and rehabilitation needs
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death damages when negligent medical care leads to a patient’s death
Multiple healthcare providers may share responsibility for a delayed diagnosis. Fortunately, you can seek compensation from each one.
Contact a Las Cruces Failure to Diagnose Cancer Lawyer
A delayed or missed cancer diagnosis can dramatically alter your health and life. If you believe negligent medical care worsened your condition, you deserve answers and a clear understanding of your legal options.
At Coates & Johnson, we represent patients throughout New Mexico who have suffered serious injuries because of medical negligence. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Las Cruces delayed or missed diagnosis lawyer and learn more about your rights.