Medical malpractice in New York usually occurs when a physician fails to make a timely diagnosis of an illness or disease. A prime example of a situation in which a doctor fails to diagnose a disease within a reasonable time frame is when a person is afflicted with ear cancer.
The standard for making a diagnosis
When it comes to diagnosing a disease within a reasonable period of time, a specific legal standard exists. A doctor must diagnose a disease, like ear cancer, within the general time frame a physician in the same circumstances would identify the condition. The failure to make a diagnosis within that time frame can result in a physician facing medical malpractice claim.
Two of the most common types of ear cancer
There are two common types of ear cancer that afflict people: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The former is the most common type of skin cancer and, if caught early, can be cured completely. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer that appears on the ear and is more dangerous than basal cell as it can spread.
Implications of a missed diagnosis
There are serious consequences associated with the failure to diagnosis ear cancer within a reasonable period of time. A missed diagnosis of this nature can result in severe degradation of a person’s health. It can also cause ear cancer to develop initially on the outside, spreading to one’s inner ear, temporal bone and even into the facial nerves. Ear cancer can be deadly.
If you or a loved one has been injured because of a missed diagnosis by a physician, you may have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim. You can ascertain your legal rights by consulting with a New York medical malpractice attorney. You should be as proactive as possible in seeking legal assistance.