Legal news reports that a Hawaii man was just awarded more than $5 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The negligence claim was filed as the result of a doctor's misdiagnosis of cancer. Although the doctor ordered tests when the man first complained of mouth pain, the wrong tests were conducted. His cancer continued to grow for two more years. When it was eventually discovered, the man's tumor was the size of a fist, requiring nine surgeries to remove the cancer and reconstruct his jaw.
Medical malpractice can take many forms and may include surgical errors, emergency room errors, birth injuries or as here – the failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of a condition. In order to properly treat a condition, a doctor must first correctly identify and diagnose the ailment. Obtaining the right diagnosis is critical to receiving the right treatment. In certain circumstances it may be difficult to diagnose a medical condition. However, your doctor has a duty of care to use every means necessary to obtain the right diagnosis. When a doctor fails to comply with the correct standard of practice for diagnosing a particular problem, the patient may be entitled to compensation.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been harmed as the result of any type of medical malpractice, it is important to consult with an experienced Hawaii medical malpractice lawyer to begin an investigation. A knowledgeable Hawaii medical negligence attorney can review the facts and circumstances surrounding a particular incident and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
For more information, please contact the top Hawaii personal injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
