Rockford Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Fighting for the Rights of Patients Affected by Cancer Misdiagnosis

A Rockford cancer misdiagnosis lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers helps victims and their families seek justice when medical professionals fail to diagnose cancer properly. A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can prevent early treatment, leading to serious complications.

Our legal team is dedicated to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable and pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Verdicts and Settlements from Our Experienced Attorneys in Rockford

Our Rockford medical malpractice attorneys provide dedicated legal representation and have recovered millions for many patients harmed by missed diagnoses, delayed medical treatment, and failure to detect conditions, including:

• $9,000,000 for the family of a 63-year-old man who sought emergency care for chest pain. The attending physician conducted a brief examination and discharged him without further testing. Just hours later, he suffered a fatal heart attack at home.
• $5,000,000 for a 55-year-old woman whose lung cancer went undiagnosed despite multiple X-rays over two years showing abnormal growth. The doctors involved failed to recognize or follow up on these warning signs, delaying the right treatment and worsening her prognosis.
• $4,250,000 for the family of a hospital patient who fell while attempting to walk to the bathroom without assistance. She suffered a subdural hematoma and later died due to the hospital staff’s failure to provide proper supervision and care.

Types of Cancer Misdiagnosis

A cancer misdiagnosis can have serious consequences, delaying medical care and reducing a patient’s chances of a full recovery. Common types of misdiagnosis include:

• Failure to diagnose (missed diagnosis) – A doctor overlooks symptoms or test results, allowing cancer to progress.
• Delayed diagnosis – Cancer is detected late, leading to more aggressive treatments and worse outcomes.
• Misdiagnosis as a benign condition – Cancer is mistaken for a less severe illness, delaying the proper treatment.
• Incorrect cancer type or stage – A patient may receive unnecessary treatment or miss critical care options.

Common Causes of Cancer Misdiagnosis in Rockford

A cancer misdiagnosis can happen for several reasons, often due to medical negligence. A patient may suffer unnecessary harm when a doctor, hospital, or healthcare provider fails to follow proper procedures. Some common causes of misdiagnosis include:

• Failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests – Not performing biopsies, MRIs, CT scans, or blood tests can delay a correct diagnosis.
• Negligent interpretation of test results – Radiologists and pathologists may misread scans, biopsies, or lab reports, leading to incorrect or missed diagnoses.
• Failure to follow up on abnormal findings – If a healthcare professional ignores or dismisses concerning test results.
• Inadequate physical examination – Rushing through exams or failing to recognize warning signs can result in missed cancer symptoms.
• Failure to consider patient history and risk factors – Doctors who overlook family history, genetics, or lifestyle risks may fail to recommend further testing.
• Communication breakdowns between healthcare providers – Errors in sharing test results or referrals can prevent a patient from receiving the proper treatment on time.

Should You Hire a Rockford Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer?

At Rosenfield Injury Lawyers, we have vast experience fighting for the best interests of our clients. We work with medical experts, gather test results and records, and build strong cases against hospitals, doctors, and other responsible parties.

Local Laws and Regulations That Impact Your Cancer Misdiagnosis Claim

Illinois has specific laws governing medical negligience claims, including those involving cancer misdiagnosis.

Affidavit of Merit Requirement – 735 ILCS 5/2-622 requires a qualified expert to review the case and certify that a medical malpractice lawsuit has merit before filing.

Comparative Negligence Rule – 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 states that patients can recover damages only if they are less than 50% at fault for their injuries.

How We Establish Medical Malpractice in a Rockford Cancer Misdiagnosis Case

To prove medical malpractice in a cancer misdiagnosis case, a Rockford medical negligence lawyer must establish four key legal elements:

• Standard of care – Healthcare professionals must follow established guidelines when diagnosing and treating patients.
• Breach of duty – This occurs when a doctor, hospital, or healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, such as misreading test results or failing to order necessary screenings.
• Causation – The missed diagnosis directly caused harm, such as requiring more aggressive treatment or reducing survival chances.
• Damages – The patient suffered financial losses or worsened health outcomes due to the misdiagnosis.

Steps to Take After a Suspected Cancer Misdiagnosis in Rockford

If you suspect a cancer misdiagnosis, taking immediate action can protect your health and legal rights. Follow these steps to strengthen your case:

• Seek a second medical opinion – Consult another medical professional to confirm your diagnosis and begin the proper treatment immediately.
• Obtain your complete medical records – Request copies of all test results, doctor’s notes, pathology reports, and imaging scans to identify potential errors or missed diagnoses.
• Document everything – Keep detailed records of appointments, symptoms, treatments, and conversations with healthcare providers. This can serve as key evidence in a medical malpractice claim.
• Do not discuss the case with hospital representatives or insurance companies – Anything you say may be used to minimize or deny your claim. Speak with an attorney first.
• Contact a Rockford medical negligence lawyer – An experienced attorney can review your case, consult experts, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

How to File a Medical Malpractice Claim for Cancer Misdiagnosis in Illinois

Filing a medical malpractice claim for a cancer misdiagnosis in Illinois involves several legal requirements. State law (735 ILCS 5/2-622) mandates that a qualified healthcare professional must review the case and provide an affidavit of merit, stating that the claim has a valid basis.

A Rockford personal injury lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether medical negligence occurred. This includes reviewing test results, pathology reports, and medical records to identify errors or oversights.

The attorney will also consult with experts to assess whether a failure to diagnose or an incorrect diagnosis impacted the patient’s treatment.

Additionally, they will gather witness statements, second medical opinions, and expert testimony to build a strong case and seek the compensation the patient deserves.

Once the case is built, the attorney will draft and file a formal complaint against the responsible doctors, hospitals, or healthcare providers. The legal process may involve settlement negotiations, but if a fair offer is not reached, the case may go to trial to seek full compensation.

How to Determine the Value of a Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawsuit in Rockford

The value of a cancer misdiagnosis lawsuit depends on several factors, as no two cases are the same. A Rockford personal injury lawyer will evaluate key details, such as how the missed diagnosis affected the patient’s health, the impact on treatment options, and the long-term consequences.

Additional considerations include the extent of medical negligence, expert testimony, and the strength of the evidence. Since every case is unique, working with an attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue the fair compensation you deserve.

Compensation You May Be Entitled to in a Cancer Misdiagnosis Case

Victims of a cancer misdiagnosis may be eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages to compensate for the harm caused by medical negligence, such as:

• Medical expenses;
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity;
• Pain and suffering;
• Loss of quality of life.

If a patient passes away due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose cancer, their family may file a wrongful death claim, seeking compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and financial support.

Statute of Limitations for Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims in Illinois

Illinois law imposes strict deadlines for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, including cases involving cancer misdiagnosis.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-212, patients must file a claim two years after they learned or should have known about the misdiagnosis. However, no claim can be filed more than four years after the medical error, regardless of when it was discovered.

If the misdiagnosis involved a minor, the statute of limitations extends to eight years, but a claim must be filed before the child’s 22nd birthday. Failing to meet these deadlines may result in losing the right to seek compensation.

FAQs About Cancer Misdiagnosis in Rockford, IL

What Is the Average Payout for Cancer Misdiagnosis?

The value of a cancer misdiagnosis case depends on factors like medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the impact on the patient’s health. Some settlements reach millions of dollars, especially if the misdiagnosis leads to severe complications or wrongful death. A Rockford medical malpractice lawyer can assess your case’s potential value.

Do Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims Classify as Medical Malpractice Cases?

Cancer misdiagnosis cases fall under medical malpractice if a doctor, hospital, or healthcare provider fails to diagnose cancer correctly, delays treatment, or provides an incorrect diagnosis, leading to harm. To prove a claim, an attorney must show that medical negligence caused the patient’s worsened condition or unnecessary treatment.

What if a Doctor Gave Me the Wrong Diagnosis?

If a doctor misdiagnoses your cancer, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim if the mistake caused you to receive incorrect treatment, delay necessary care, or worsen your condition. A Rockford medical malpractice lawyer can review your medical records and consult experts to determine if negligence occurred.

Can You Get Compensation for a Delayed Cancer Diagnosis?

A delayed cancer diagnosis can allow the disease to progress, requiring more aggressive treatments or reducing survival chances. If a doctor fails to order necessary tests, misread results, or ignores symptoms, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, reduced earning capacity, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Consult a Rockford Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney Near You!

At Rosenfield Injury Lawyers, our experienced Rockford medical malpractice lawyers have helped victims of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment hold negligent parties accountable.

We offer a free consultation to review your case and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out our contact form to speak with a dedicated attorney today.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Jonathan was very helpful with my case! He liste to everything I had to say. He took all my information and used it to the best of his ability. just felt like he cared he did everything he could soon as he was able to do it! I would definitely recommend him and would use him again if I eve need him!!”

— Kelsi CaballeroRead More Google Reviews

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.