Colonoscopies are relatively straightforward treatments, but they can be crucial. This is technically a surgery, and it may help detect potentially life-threatening issues. Often, colonoscopies help doctors confirm relatively benign issues – such as hemorrhoids. However, they may also detect various cancers. What if your colonoscopy was delayed? Can you sue if you’re suffering from serious medical conditions due to this delay? This may be something worth discussing alongside your medical malpractice lawyer in Baltimore.
Timely Colonoscopies Are Extremely Important
Timely colonoscopies are extremely important, and any delays could lead to malpractice lawsuits. For example, a patient might see a doctor after complaining of rectal bleeding, cramps, and pain. The doctor might order a colonoscopy before planning to follow up with the patient. But what happens if the colonoscopy never occurs – and the doctors fails to follow up?
These types of situations are actually quite common. People with a history of anal cancer and similar issues may be particularly vulnerable to the ill effects of delayed colonoscopies. Doctors should know how important these procedures are for those who have a history of anal or colon cancers, and they should always organize colonoscopies as soon as possible for these patients.
What Are the Potential Effects of a Delayed Colonoscopy?
The most serious consequence of a delayed colonoscopy is death. If this procedure does not occur within a certain timeframe, cancers and other health concerns may rapidly worsen. By the time the colonoscopy finally occurs, it may be too late to treat the tumors with less invasive methods.
As a result, more invasive surgeries and other methods may be necessary to save the patient’s life. These methods may be unsuccessful, and the patient’s death could be attributed to the delayed colonoscopy. This could form the basis for a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the patient’s family.
Even if the patient survives, they may struggle with permanent health consequences. A “diverting colonoscopy” can save a patient’s life, but it may cause permanent loss of function. Along with other procedures like abdominal surgery and hysterectomies, this can cause permanent colostomies, loss of sexual function, and incontinence (to name but a few issues).
Timely Cancer Detection Is Crucial
All forms of cancer can be treated more easily with earlier detection. A patient might responsibly visit a doctor after noticing potential signs for concerns, but it is the doctor’s legal duty to investigate these concerns. If doctors fail to help patients with cancer detection, they make treatment exponentially more difficult and risky in the future.
Can a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Owings Mills Help?
If you have encountered serious medical issues due to a delayed colonoscopy in Owings Mills, a medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help. Your cancer may have been detected much earlier if it weren’t for these delays. There is no excuse for this type of ineptitude, and you are fully within your rights to hold your healthcare providers accountable. Reach out to Furman Honick Law today and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.
Sources:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6649710/
hub.tmlt.org/tmlt-blog/delay-in-obtaining-colonoscopy