As we approach Mother’s Day, some of us have lost loved ones to ovarian and other types of cancers, or are fighting to save loved ones from the terrible disease of ovarian cancer. If you have lost a loved one due to cancer or any other type of illness, then I am truly sorry, and I understand that all the holidays can be trying times.
It is important to note that in all medical malpractice cases in Georgia that there is a standard of care that must be followed in the medical profession to detect and treat illnesses. For ovarian cancer, the standard of medical care will be discussed here in a question and answer format that will ask the question and then explain why each question is important.
The answers to these, and other, questions are what attorneys use to determine if there has been a deviation from the standard of care in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer specifically, and if it is determined that there has been a deviation, or breach of the standard of care, then did that deviation or breach of the standard of care cause the patient to become more ill or, in the worst case scenario, die. In a medical malpractice case, if it can be shown that there was a breach, or deviation, from the standard of care and that breach of deviation caused damage to the patient or the patient’s loved ones in the event that the patient died, then damages are assessed. Damages are not discussed in this particular blog post but will be discussed at later date.
If, after reading these questions and answers that are in the next blog posts two and three, you think that you or a loved one was misdiagnosed with ovarian cancer then Contact Us immediately for your free consultation. We are experts in these types of cases and it is important for two (2) reasons that you contact a qualified medical malpractice attorney as soon as you believe that there may have been a misdiagnosis or mistreatment of ovarian cancer.
First, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, then it is imperative that you or your loved one seek the proper medical treatment as soon as possible to fight this disease. Second, there is a very short statute of limitations in medical malpractice cases in Georgia and if you do not seek legal counsel within this time frame then, even if there was negligence on the part of a doctor, hospital, or other medical care provider, then you may not be able to seek compensation for the injuries and damages caused by such medical malpractice. We are here to help you so call us today if you think you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed or mistreated for this most deadly disease.
The following are questions that are commonly asked to determine if there has been a deviation of the standard of care in the case of detection and treatment of ovarian cancer in Georgia:
Q: Was a thorough physical examination performed?
A: This is important since a thorough physical examination must be performed to assess for any mass or suspicious finding of the abdomen as the symptoms of ovarian cancer are diffuse and non specific. Again, an ultrasound may be in order to detect any abnormalities and if any abnormalities are detected, then further tests can be performed. Although I have a slight history of ovarian cancer in my family, even if I have not symptoms, I insist upon an ultrasound of my ovaries every year at my annual check up as early detection is key as with all cancers.
Q: Was the patient discharged from care with a differential diagnosis?
A: This is important since ovarian carcinoma may often be misdiagnosed as many different aliments such as irritable bowel syndrome, stress, gastritis, or depression months prior to the date that the actual diagnosis of ovarian cancer is made. It is, therefore, imperative that the doctor has run the proper tests to determine specifically whether or not ovarian cancer has been ruled out and that it was not mistaken by other illnesses that present with similar symptoms.
There will be more questions that are asked when determining whether or not there has been a Deviation from the Standard of Care in Georgia for the Detection of Ovarian Cancer in blog posts part two and three so stay tuned!