Failure to Diagnose Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in older adults. Generally, when bladder cancer is detected early and treated promptly, there are better chances of successful treatment and long-term survival. If the cancer has progressed has metastasized to other parts of the body, however, the prognosis may be poor, and treatment options may be more limited. Therefore, the failure to diagnose bladder cancer can greatly impact a person’s treatment outcomes and quality of life. If you or someone you loved sustained losses due to a missed or delayed bladder cancer diagnosis, it is advisable to talk to a lawyer about what claims you may be able to pursue. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our capable Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys are well-informed in what it takes to prevail in claims against negligent doctors, and we will fight to help you seek the justice you deserve. We often help people pursue compensation in medical malpractice cases in Syracuse, Rochester and cities throughout Upstate New York.

Symptoms of bladder cancer typically include painful and frequent urination, blood in the urine, urinary urgency, pelvic pain, back pain, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss. Because these symptoms can be caused by other, less serious conditions, diagnosing bladder cancer requires a thorough evaluation process. This typically involves a comprehensive medical history assessment, physical examination, blood tests, and a series of diagnostic tests, such as urinalysis, cystoscopy, biopsies, MRIs, and CT scans. Using these diagnostic methods, doctors can accurately diagnose bladder cancer, determine its stage and grade, and develop an effective treatment plan tailored to the individual patient's needs and circumstances.

The failure to diagnose bladder cancer often leads to the progression and spread of the disease to nearby tissue and other areas of the body. Treating advanced-stage bladder cancer entails more invasive procedures that often cause significant side effects, including incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Further, the failure to detect bladder cancer before it infiltrates the underlying muscle substantially diminishes the likelihood of patient survival.

The failure to diagnose bladder cancer often leads to permanent detriments and, in many instances, unfortunately, causes fatal harm. As such, many people harmed by such oversight will seek damages in medical malpractice lawsuits.

As the failure to provide a prompt and accurate diagnosis is generally the result of carelessness rather than malicious intent, most cases arising out of the failure to diagnose bladder cancer will include a negligence claim against the defendant. Under New York law, to establish negligence in the context of medical treatment, the plaintiff must first show that the defendant owed them a duty and that the defendant breached the duty owed. The duty doctors owe their patients is to provide treatment that meets the standard of care, which is what is deemed the good and accepted practice of medicine in the relevant community.

Next, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant’s breach of the standard of care caused the plaintiff to incur tangible losses. Typically, the plaintiff will have to hire an expert to explain the standard of care to the judge or jury and to demonstrate how the defendant failed to meet the standard.

The prognosis for people with bladder cancer varies greatly due to various factors, including the stage at which it is diagnosed and treated. As such, the failure to diagnose bladder cancer often leads to devastating outcomes. If you suffered injuries due to a physician's failure to diagnose bladder cancer, you should confer with an attorney to determine your options. The dedicated Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers can inform you of your options and gather the evidence needed to provide you with a strong chance of obtaining a favorable outcome. Our main office is in Syracuse, and we regularly represent parties in medical malpractice cases in Syracuse as well as in Rochester and other cities in Upstate New York. You can contact us to set up a complimentary and confidential meeting by calling us at 833-200-2000 or using our online form.