Although not widely publicized, negligence during medical care is one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States today. These days, patient safety is the number one priority for doctors in Kentucky, but accidents will still happen. When mistakes are made during medical care, the patient suffers the consequences. A woman in another state died from what her family believes was negligent care and they have filed a medical malpractice lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, the woman was not properly diagnosed which led to her untimely death. The lawsuit claims that the woman’s doctor failed to remove a polyp from her intestines in 2013 and again three years later. Allegedly, this led to her being diagnosed with colon cancer this year.
The lawsuit says that another doctor discovered the woman’s cancer had spread into her lymph nodes and her liver. That doctor determined that the woman’s cancer was terminal and informed the woman that her life expectancy was limited. The lawsuit accuses the first doctor of negligence by not providing the necessary care when needed. The plaintiffs seek $4 million in compensatory damages.
Technology and modern medicine have greatly improved cancer survival rates. However, when it comes to a disease like cancer, a timely diagnosis and treatment are absolutely crucial in the survival of the patient. Kentucky families who have lost a loved one as a result of medical malpractice may benefit from discussions with a knowledgeable attorney. A successfully litigated lawsuit could provide vital compensation to help families with end-of-life expenses as well as other financial losses that may have occurred due to this experience.