Delayed Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

Early detection methods allow doctors to diagnose precancerous and cancerous cells on the cervix before they are able to grow and spread. Because of these techniques, cervical cancer can be easily preventable and treatable if it is diagnosed early.

However, doctors may still miss the signs of cervical cancer due to negligence or misdiagnosis. The pathologist may not have noted questionable cells, or the physician may not have recommended a screening or followed up with their patient. Actions such as these can lead to a delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer in Florida. If you were harmed because a healthcare provider failed to properly diagnose or treat your cervical cancer, you should speak with an experienced attorney to discuss your legal options.

Does a Delayed Diagnosis Change the Statute of Limitations?

The statute of limitations provides only a limited amount of time for plaintiffs to file their lawsuits depending on the nature of their case. This statutory deadline helps protect defendants from lawsuits arising from situations that happened many years ago, leaving them without evidence to defend themselves.

Malpractice lawsuits must be filed within two years from the date of the incident according to Florida Revised Statutes §95.11. In cases where the malpractice is not discovered until later, such as in a Florida delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer case, the statute of limitations may begin on the day the malpractice was discovered or should have reasonably been discovered. However, no circumstances can extend the statute of limitations past four years from the date that the malpractice occurred.

Healthcare Provider Negligence in a Delayed Diagnosis Case

Doctors should offer women cervical cancer screenings according to current standards of care. These screenings detect abnormal cells, therefore allowing patients who may have cancer to seek treatment right away. With early diagnosis and treatment, the chances of cervical cancer spreading and threatening a woman’s quality of life decrease.

Due to a Florida doctor’s delayed diagnosis of a patient’s cervical cancer, the patient may incur additional medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, changes in their relationships, and they may lose their ability to have children. An attorney who is skilled in cervical cancer malpractice laws could hold the practitioner liable for the injuries that caused the plaintiff’s damages.

What to Do After a Florida Delayed Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

Learning that you have cervical cancer can come as a shock and leave you overwhelmed, especially if you receive this diagnosis too late. If you received a delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer in Florida, contact an attorney to represent your legal interests and help you pursue compensation that you are entitled to based on Florida’s civil malpractice laws.

While no amount of money can cure your cancer or take away your pain and suffering, compensation may be able to help you pay for your medical bills, make up for your lost wages, and secure a better life moving forward. To schedule your initial case evaluation, contact a lawyer today.