Time Limits for Pap Smear Misdiagnosis Lawsuits in Florida

When a doctor or laboratory misdiagnoses your Pap smear, you may not find out you have cervical cancer until after symptoms start appearing. A person considering taking legal action after experiencing such negligence should learn about the time limits for West Palm Beach pap smear misdiagnosis lawsuits. In Florida, there is a statute of limitations that could significantly impact a person’s ability to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice. A dedicated pap smear misdiagnosis lawyer could review the factors surrounding your case and work to establish how a doctor’s negligence led to your injuries. Call and schedule an appointment to start discussing your potential legal strategies and options.

Statute of Limitations

Under Florida Statutes §95.11, plaintiffs have two years from the discovery of an incident that caused the injury to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, the statute also imposes a maximum deadline of four years from the date of the malpractice.

In other words, a woman who does not discover she has cervical cancer that should have been caught by a Pap smear until more than four years have passed would be unable to sue for malpractice. Someone facing the devastating of pap smear misdiagnosis may benefit from consulting an attorney about time limits for West Palm Beach pap smear misdiagnosis lawsuits. They could examine the potential influencing factors of the case and work to advocate an injured person’s behalf.

Cervical Cancer Progression

Early detection of cervical cancer often means the difference between life and death, or at least the difference in whether the patient needs adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation. In some women, finding cervical cancer early may ultimately preserve their ability to have children after treatment ends, although that is almost never true in more advanced cervical cancers.

Cervical cancer usually does not present many symptoms, other than mild bleeding and vaginal discharge, until cancer has spread beyond the cervix. It may take several years for cervical cancer to develop, long enough that the time period between the Pap smear misdiagnosis and the actual cancer diagnosis may exceed Florida’s statute of limitations.

That is why it is critical for any woman who experiences abnormal bleeding between periods—even just spotting—to see her gynecologist as soon as possible. Such spotting may also indicate endometrial or uterine cancer. Pain during sex is also a sign of cervical cancer, and it is not a sign that women should ignore.

Contact a Lawyer About Time Limits for West Palm Beach Pap Smear Misdiagnosis Lawsuits

If you or a loved one fell victim of a cervical cancer misdiagnosis because of a faulty Pap smear or misread lab results, time is of the essence when it comes to filing a lawsuit. You may benefit from the services of an experienced pap smear misdiagnosis attorney who understands time limits for West Palm Beach pap smear misdiagnosis lawsuits.

Not only do a woman’s odds of survival greatly improve with early diagnosis, but a diagnosis within the statute of limitations timeframe may allow a woman to make a claim for misdiagnosis. Call as soon as possible to set up a consultation and start exploring your legal options.