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Table of Contents
When cancer goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed, the consequences can be life-altering. You may have lost precious time, undergone unnecessary treatments, or faced an advanced stage of illness that could have been avoided. At Freidin Brown, P.A., our Doral cancer misdiagnosis attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that medical negligence can cause.
With over 100 years of combined experience and more than 300 jury trials behind us, our team is equipped to take on complex cases involving diagnostic failures and fight for the compensation you deserve. If you believe your provider missed critical signs or delayed your diagnosis, our Doral medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you understand your legal options. Call now for a free and confidential consultation. Se habla español.
The Basics of Cancer Misdiagnosis
Cancer misdiagnosis can take several forms, and each can carry serious consequences for a patient. Some people are told they have cancer when they don’t, while others may be reassured that everything looks normal, only to learn later that their condition was missed.
Cancer misdiagnosis isn’t one-size-fits-all. It may involve:
- Failure to Diagnose: A Doral provider overlooks symptoms or test results, and the cancer remains undetected.
- Delayed Diagnosis: The cancer is eventually diagnosed, but critical time is lost that could have affected treatment or outcomes.
- Incorrect Diagnosis: The cancer is confused with another illness, or the wrong type or stage is assigned.
- Overdiagnosis: A condition that would never have caused harm is labeled as cancer, leading to unnecessary treatment.
What Makes This More Than Just a Medical Error?
Not every bad outcome is malpractice, but if a provider failed to meet the standard of care expected in their profession, and you were harmed as a result, you may have a claim. Examples of potentially negligent actions include:
- Ignoring or misinterpreting test results
- Failing to order appropriate diagnostic imaging or biopsies
- Not following up after abnormal findings
- Miscommunicating important clinical information between providers
There are many ways a cancer misdiagnosis can occur, and it often takes just one oversight in a long chain of decisions to change a patient’s life. These errors can stem from breakdowns in communication, poor clinical judgment, or failures in how test results are handled and interpreted.
These issues may happen in outpatient clinics, cancer centers, hospitals, or imaging facilities. For example, patients in Doral may receive diagnostic services through locations like UHealth Doral Medical Center, which offers oncology and imaging services. Regardless of where the error occurred, the impact on a patient’s health can be substantial. Our lawyers can help review your records, determine what went wrong, and figure out what options are available now.
Can I Receive a False Positive for Cancer?
A false positive occurs when a patient is told they have cancer based on imaging, lab work, or a clinical impression, but later learns they do not. While this outcome might seem like a relief, the road to that realization can be physically and emotionally costly.
False positives can lead to:
- Unnecessary treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, or trauma, tied to the belief they were seriously ill
- Financial harm from missed work, medical bills, or the long-term effects of invasive treatment
- Strained relationships with loved ones or healthcare providers
These situations may be considered medical malpractice if the provider failed to follow accepted diagnostic protocols or misread critical results. Even if the mistake is eventually corrected, the damage may already be done.
Need Legal Support for a Cancer Misdiagnosis? Talk to a Doral Attorney for Free!
Understanding the Value of a Cancer Misdiagnosis Claim
A cancer misdiagnosis can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial harm, sometimes for years to come. If a medical provider’s actions caused or contributed to these losses, you may have grounds to seek compensation through a malpractice claim.
Damages in these cases are meant to reflect the real costs you’ve faced, as well as the personal and long-term consequences of the misdiagnosis.
Economic Damages
These are the measurable financial losses tied to your care and recovery. Depending on your situation, they may include:
- Medical expenses: You may be entitled to compensation for the treatments you needed because of the misdiagnosis and for treatments you’ll now need going forward.
- Costs of unnecessary treatment: If you were treated for a condition you didn’t have, those expenses may also be part of your claim.
- Lost income: Time away from work or reduced earning ability may be recoverable if the misdiagnosis affected your job or career.
- Future losses: In some cases, experts such as economists and life care planners may be brought in to calculate the long-term financial impact.
Non-Economic Damages
Not all losses are tied to receipts or paychecks. A cancer misdiagnosis can also change your quality of life in ways that are deeply personal.
- Pain and suffering: Both physical discomfort and the emotional toll of delayed or incorrect care may factor into your case.
- Mental anguish: Anxiety, depression, and loss of control are common among patients who faced serious illness under avoidable circumstances.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your diagnosis changed your ability to participate in daily life, hobbies, or time with loved ones, this loss may be recognized legally.
Misdiagnosed Cancer Can Be Fatal for Loved Ones
If a misdiagnosis led to a patient’s death, surviving family members may be eligible to seek damages through a wrongful death claim. These damages may reflect:
- The loss of financial and emotional support that the loved one provided
- Funeral and end-of-life expenses
- Medical bills related to the misdiagnosis
- The surviving family’s mental and emotional suffering
Whether you’re seeking damages for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, the lawyers at Freidin Brown, P.A. are here to fight for what your family needs and deserves.
We Help Families Who Suffered Medical Malpractice
Why Doral Families Choose Freidin Brown, P.A. for Cancer Malpractice Claims
Cancer misdiagnosis cases are rarely straightforward. They often involve multiple providers, conflicting records, and critical timing issues. A lawyer’s role isn’t just to identify what went wrong, but to build a strong, evidence-based case that reflects the full scope of what you’ve lost.
At Freidin Brown, P.A., we take a team-based approach to every case. At least two attorneys collaborate on your legal strategy, with oversight from Philip Freidin and direct involvement from our paralegals. We also work with leading medical experts across the country. These include specialists in oncology and diagnostic medicine, life care planners, economists, and other professionals who prepare detailed reports to support your claim and help demonstrate the impact of a delayed or missed diagnosis.
Because we limit the number of cases we take, you can expect thoughtful, personal representation, not just case numbers on a screen. Our team knows how much is at stake, and we’re here to help.
Our Doral Malpractice Team Is Ready to Get to Work on Your Claim
If you believe a cancer misdiagnosis changed the course of your health or took away critical time with someone you love, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Our attorneys understand the toll that delayed or incorrect diagnoses can take, and we’re here to help you explore your legal options with care, focus, and clarity.
At Freidin Brown, P.A., we understand that you have a lot to deal with right now. You need a firm that can help guide you through this difficult time while fighting for every dollar you need. Call us today to get started with a free consultation.
Our Doral Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyers Answer Your Questions
Do I Have a Case if I Was Eventually Diagnosed Correctly?
You might. Even if your cancer was eventually identified, a delay in diagnosis could have caused the disease to progress, limited your treatment options, or increased your physical and emotional suffering. A lawyer can review your records and help determine whether your provider failed to meet the standard of care expected in similar situations.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Cancer Misdiagnosis?
Liability may fall on one or more parties involved in your care. That could include primary care physicians, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, or even the institutions that employ them. Our team can identify where the breakdown occurred and whether multiple providers share responsibility.
How Long Do I Have to File a Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawsuit?
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, patients have a limited time to pursue a medical malpractice claim. Before a lawsuit can be filed, Florida law also requires that all prospective defendants receive formal notice during the presuit process. If this step is missed—or if the statute of limitations runs out—you could lose the right to seek compensation. A lawyer can help you meet these deadlines and preserve your claim.
Will I Have to Go to Court if I File a Malpractice Claim?
Not necessarily. Many malpractice cases resolve through a negotiated settlement. That said, we prepare every case thoroughly from the start, including for the possibility of trial. This helps ensure we’re ready for whatever direction your case takes.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer?
Our firm represents medical malpractice clients on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything up front. We only collect fees if we secure compensation on your behalf. If there’s no recovery, you owe nothing.