Did Kaiser fail to diagnose your cancer?

The sooner that cancer is detected, the sooner a patient can begin to receive the necessary treatment before the cancer has a chance to metastasize and spread throughout the body. Luckily, the types of screening tests that are available today such as CT scans and MRIs, as well as colonoscopy, mammography, and blood tests make it easier to detect and accurately diagnose cancer sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, when a medical professional ignores or misreads the early warning signs of cancer and/or fails to order the tests to make a timely and accurate diagnosis, it can have a serious impact on the patient’s chances for survival.

Failing to diagnose cancer, misdiagnosis, failure to provide proper treatment, or any treatment, are all reasons for cases of malpractice to be filed against a doctor or other healthcare professional. 

In general, medical malpractice cases can be resolved a couple of ways. In the majority of cases, medical malpractice attorneys will negotiate a settlement for their clients. However, when a fair and equitable settlement cannot be negotiated, the attorney can take the case to court. 

However, in malpractice cases involving Kaiser doctors, members have no choice when it comes to prosecuting their claims in a court of law. In 1978, Kaiser put into place, in all of their group policies, a provision that requires all medical malpractice cases to be settled through their private arbitration system. 

When time is of the essence

Receiving an accurate and timely cancer diagnosis is the most important step to getting the best possible treatment for your particular type of cancer. For example, according to “Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Facts,” if detected early, the 5-year survival statistic for colorectal cancers is 90%, but only 20% if detected in late stage.

Misdiagnosing cancer cases, a delayed diagnosis, or failing to diagnose cancer due to negligence on the part of a doctor or other healthcare provider can reduce the life expectancy of a patient, especially if the cancer is aggressive and has a chance to spread. The options for live-saving treatment may be reduced and, in the worst case scenario, the patient may die prematurely. 

Over the years, Kaiser has been involved in malpractice cases involving failure to promptly diagnose lung cancer, a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, and a misdiagnosis of bladder cancer, to name a few, all resulting in patient deaths.

Contact a Kaiser Permanente malpractice attorney

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious personal injury due to the negligence of a doctor or other healthcare professional with Kaiser Foundation Health Plans, Inc. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and Permanente Medical Groups, consider filing a lawsuit against Kaiser. The first step is to consult a medical malpractice attorney who is qualified to represent your best interests at the arbitration hearings. 

San Diego medical malpractice attorney, Scott S. Harris, has extensive experience and a history of successfully negotiating claim settlements. All cases are taken on a contingent fee basis.