Chicago Colon Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer

If you or a loved one received a cancer misdiagnosis due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A Chicago colon cancer misdiagnosis lawyer at our law firm is experienced in handling medical malpractice cases and can help you pursue justice.

Colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when detected early. When a doctor fails to recognize symptoms or misinterprets test results, patients may face limited treatment options and serious health consequences. 

What is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of colorectal cancer that begins in the large intestine. It develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the colon’s lining, forming tumors. If left untreated, the cancer can spread to other organs, making treatment more difficult. Rectal cancer is a related condition that affects the lower part of the digestive tract.

Early detection through colon cancer screening significantly improves survival rates. When diagnosed in its early stages, medical treatment is more effective, often involving surgery to remove localized tumors. 

However, a late diagnosis due to medical mistakes can allow the disease to progress, requiring aggressive treatments like chemotherapy. If a doctor was negligent and failed to provide a diagnosis, it may be considered medical malpractice.

Risk Factors and Symptoms

Understanding the risk factors and symptoms of colon cancer is essential for early diagnosis and timely medical treatment. A failure to diagnose can allow the disease to progress to advanced stages.

Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing colon cancer, including:

• Age – Most cases occur in people over 50, though younger individuals can also be affected.
• Family history – A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps raises the risk.
• Chronic conditions – Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis increase inflammation and the chance of cancer.
• Lifestyle factors – A diet high in red meat, smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol use contribute to increased risk.

Common colon cancer symptoms include:

• Changes in bowel habits – Persistent diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of stool.
• Rectal bleeding – Blood in the stool or unexplained anemia.
• Abdominal pain – Cramps, bloating, or discomfort.
• Unexplained weight loss – Losing weight without dietary or lifestyle changes.

Colon Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

Colon cancer screening is critical for early detection, especially for individuals with risk factors such as a family history of colorectal cancer or related conditions. Regular screening can identify abnormal cells before they develop into cancer.

• Colonoscopy – The most effective test, allowing doctors to detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) – Detects hidden blood in stool, which may indicate cancer.
• Stool DNA Test – Identifies genetic markers linked to colon cancer.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy – Examines the lower colon for abnormalities.
• CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy) – Uses imaging to detect polyps and tumors.

If symptoms or abnormal results are found, further diagnostic procedures include:

• Biopsy – A tissue sample is taken during a colonoscopy for examination.
• Imaging Tests – CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds determine if the cancer spreads beyond the colon.

Misdiagnosis of Colon Cancer

A colorectal cancer misdiagnosis can have life-threatening consequences, leading to delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options. Negligence can occur in several ways, preventing early detection and allowing the cancer to progress.

Doctors should recommend colon cancer screening based on a patient’s risk factors, including family history, age, and related conditions. A physician fails in their duty if they neglect to order a colonoscopy or other tests, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Errors in reading biopsies, CT scans, or stool tests can result in a late diagnosis. Diagnostic errors by pathologists or radiologists can cause a patient to be wrongly reassured that no cancer is present.

Doctors may attribute symptoms, such as rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits, to less severe conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. This misjudgment can delay proper treatment.

Even when symptoms are reported, some doctors fail to act quickly. Delayed biopsies or imaging tests allow the cancer to progress, reducing survival chances. A doctor acting negligently may lead to a cancer misdiagnosis claim.

Consequences of Misdiagnosis

Colorectal cancer misdiagnoses can have devastating consequences, as early detection is critical for successful medical treatment. When a doctor doesn’t provide a timely diagnosis, the disease may progress, limiting treatment options and reducing survival rates.

A late diagnosis allows the cancer to advance beyond the colon, spreading to the rectum, lymph nodes, or distant organs such as the liver or lungs. The later colon cancer is diagnosed, the harder it is to treat effectively.

Colon cancer detected in its early stages may be treated with a simple colonoscopy or surgery. However, advanced cancer often requires aggressive chemotherapy, radiation, or extensive surgery, which comes with increased risks and side effects.

When cancer spreads, survival rates decline significantly. Colon cancer, if detected early, has a high survival rate, but late-stage colorectal cancer is much harder to treat successfully.

A misdiagnosis can cause unnecessary pain, complications, and emotional distress. Cancer patients may endure harsher treatments, prolonged hospital stays, and higher medical expenses due to a doctor’s negligence, all of which could have been prevented with an early diagnosis.

Medical Malpractice and Colon Cancer Misdiagnosis

Colon cancer misdiagnoses caused by negligence can result in worsened health outcomes. If a physician fails to recognize symptoms, misinterprets screening results, or delays necessary screening tests, they may be liable in a medical malpractice claim. Understanding the legal elements of negligence is key to pursuing justice.

Establishing Negligence

To succeed in a claim for a colorectal cancer misdiagnosis, you must prove that a doctor was negligent and failed to meet the accepted standard of care. This process involves four key legal elements:

• Duty of Care – A doctor-patient relationship establishes a legal obligation for the medical professional to provide competent care. This includes performing appropriate screening tests and investigating symptoms like rectal bleeding or unexplained weight loss.
• Breach of Duty – A breach occurs when a doctor fails to order necessary diagnostic tests, misinterprets test results, or dismisses symptoms, leading to a missed or late cancer diagnosis.
• Causation – It must be proven that the doctor’s negligence directly led to harm, such as allowing colon cancer to progress to a more advanced stage, limiting treatment options, and reducing survival rates.
• Damages – The patient suffered physical, emotional, and financial harm, including pain, prolonged treatment, increased medical bills, or even wrongful death due to the missed diagnosis.

Proving Negligence in Misdiagnosis Cases

Building a strong cancer misdiagnosis claim requires clear evidence of negligence. Key pieces of evidence include:

• Medical Records – These document doctor visits, tests, biopsy results, and reported symptoms. A thorough review can reveal whether a healthcare provider ignored warning signs or failed to order follow-up testing.
• Expert Witness Testimony – Medical experts, such as oncologists and radiologists, provide critical testimony explaining how a competent doctor should have handled the cancer diagnosis. They help establish that a delayed diagnosis resulted from diagnostic errors rather than an unavoidable medical outcome.
• Deviation from the Standard of Care – If another qualified medical professional would have made an accurate diagnosis under similar circumstances, it shows that the original doctor was negligent.

Seeking Compensation for Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawsuit

A colon cancer misdiagnosis can result in unnecessary suffering, invasive medical treatment, and financial strain. If a doctor’s negligence caused a delayed diagnosis, you may have grounds for a cancer misdiagnosis claim. Victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In cases where a missed diagnosis led to a fatal outcome, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. Working with an experienced misdiagnosis attorney in Chicago can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Types of Damages

Victims in cancer misdiagnosis cases may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses – Surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, hospital stays, and ongoing treatment costs.
• Lost wages – Income lost due to extended recovery periods or an inability to work.
• Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, and the psychological toll of a late diagnosis.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – The long-term impact on a patient’s ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed.
• Wrongful death – If a failure to diagnose leads to death, surviving family members can seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.

Finding the Right Lawyer in Chicago

Pursuing a medical malpractice claim can be complex, but an experienced cancer misdiagnosis attorney in Chicago can guide you through the process by:

• Investigating the case – Review your records to identify errors in screening.
• Gathering evidence – Collecting documentation to prove a physician failed to provide a timely diagnosis.
• Consulting with medical experts – Using expert testimony to establish how medical mistakes contributed to the misdiagnosis.
• Establishing liability – Proving that the healthcare provider deviated from accepted medical standards.
• Negotiating with insurance companies – Ensuring you receive fair compensation for medical expenses and other damages.
• Filing a lawsuit – If necessary, take your case to court to fight for the maximum compensation available.

Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney Now

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a colon cancer misdiagnosis, the legal team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Chicago understand the devastating impact of a delayed diagnosis and will fight to secure the compensation you deserve. Our law firm is committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable.

We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago.

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.