Failure to recognize cancer or any other serious problem is not just dangerous for your physical and mental health but can also pose a threat to your financial status. If your medical practitioner has been negligent and misinformed you about your diagnosis, you must take action to turn the situation around. Your ability to return to normal life and start working majorly depends on the first stage of your diagnosis, which is why doctors and medical professionals must be more careful when diagnosing and treating their patients.
If Your Doctor Fails To Notice The Symptoms Of Cancer
However, if you have succumbed to the unfortunate event of a failed diagnosis, you can still turn it around. Here are 4 steps you can take if your doctor fails to recognize or diagnose the symptoms of cancer.
1. Get a Diagnosis
The first step is to get a proper diagnosis before your condition worsens. Go to a renowned medical practitioner or a cancer specialist to get a proper diagnosis and determine your actual condition. Before fixing an appointment with a cancer specialist, find out more about their qualifications and credentials as you do not want another misdiagnosis. Instead of thinking about your condition and asking questions like, “Is it really cancer?”, or “What if my health gets worse?”, act quickly and get a diagnosis.
More importantly, get a second opinion. Go to multiple doctors to make sure that your signs and symptoms are accurate. Do not hold on to a doctor who is extremely difficult to reach or is time-bound. If you feel that they are ignoring your requests and aren’t answering your questions, find a practitioner you can trust. Once you get an accurate diagnosis and recognize the signs of your health condition, you can move ahead with the treatment.
2. File a Claim
Keep all your records in one place and find proof related to your failed diagnosis as it can be counted as medical malpractice. If your medical practitioner has failed to diagnose cancer and relevant signs due to negligence, they are liable to pay compensation. The malpractice can be deemed liable if the patient’s health condition has worsened due to the negligence of their doctor who was appointed at the time of the failed diagnosis.
Hire a lawyer to fight your case and get compensation from your doctor or medical practitioner. The attorneys can examine the case inside out with their dedicated team of medical advisors and doctors and find the actual reason behind the failed diagnosis. They are also well-versed with relevant legal matters and can help you win the case. Some lawyers even help their clients in getting adequate treatment and suggest reliable medical practitioners to get an accurate diagnosis.
3. Contact Your Insurance Agent
If you have medical insurance, contact your agent to cover your medical bills and treatment costs. Since not all policies cover cancer costs, check with your agent first and learn more about the deductibles and the types of expenses that can be covered by your medical insurance. If you need to pay certain costs from your pocket, design a budget to balance your monthly expenses and medical bills. Take a loan if you don’t have an emergency fund. While your insurance may not cover certain deductibles, you may still be eligible to avail of a few hidden benefits. Contact your agent and sit with them to extract the perks and reduce your financial burden.
4. Get Adequate Treatment
Meanwhile, get your treatment started. Your health will worsen if you keep waiting. Follow your trusted doctor’s advice and take the necessary steps. If your symptoms have worsened, you may be asked to get admitted and start treatment immediately. If not, go for regular checkups and take precautions as advised. Over time, you can prevent invasive treatments and surgeries with proper treatment from the beginning. This will also ensure that you can return to work and avoid further salary pay cuts.
While you are getting treatment, do not worry about the legal claim and let your lawyer handle the case. You can simply focus on getting better and undergoing treatment while your insurance agent and attorney are handling the financial and legal matters, respectively. Take proper rest and talk to a therapist or your loved ones if needed. Learn ways to cope with the repercussions and get back on your feet with a healthy body and mind.
By taking these steps, you can return to your normal life with optimum health and prevent financial losses as well. You can rely on your lawyer to handle your legal paperwork and fight your case. You can also lean on your loved ones to overcome the trauma and take tiny steps to return to your normal life.