If you or someone close to you suffered from multiple myeloma and you believe that the doctor was negligent in your diagnosis or treatment, you should consider contacting a seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to truly understanding what happened in your case so we can guide you appropriately. We know how emotionally draining this process can be, which is why we will handle your case with the utmost compassion. Our goal is to protect your rights and resolve your case in the most fair and timely manner possible.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that impacts the plasma cells in the blood. Plasma cells assist your body in fighting infections by creating antibodies that identify and attack germs but when a patient has multiple myeloma, the plasma cells inside the bone marrow often produce or perform abnormally. These atypical plasma cells start to divide nonstop and make more abnormal cells to the extent that they crowd out healthy blood cells. The condition is progressive and it is often deadly within three years of the diagnosis.
Multiple myeloma is the second most common cancer in the world, representing approximately 1 percent of all diagnosed cases of cancer and approximately 2 percent of all cancer deaths. According to some estimates, 5 out of every 100,000 people in the US will develop multiple myeloma within their lifetime.
Multiple Myeloma Misdiagnosis
Early diagnosis of multiple myeloma is essential because any delay in treatment can be life threatening. Since myeloma does not present as a lump or tumor, it can be difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis is typically done through a blood test to measure paraprotein levels. A bone marrow biopsy is also sometimes carried out to confirm a diagnosis generally taken from the hipbone. Lastly, x-rays may be performed to detect the presence of myeloma since the condition can thin or damage the bones.
Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of multiple myeloma can form the basis of a medical malpractice in some cases. In the context of a multiple myeloma misdiagnosis, a medical malpractice case would require showing that the medical professional in question owed the patient a duty of care; that duty was breached; the breach was the direct cause of the myeloma misdiagnosis; and the misdiagnosis led to quantifiable damages (i.e., further medical treatment, missed work, etc.). It is important to note that the duty of care refers to the obligation of every medical professional to use the level of care that a reasonably competent medical professional would have used in the same or similar circumstances. Once medical malpractice is established, the plaintiff will be able to recovery a variety of damages that are relevant to his or her case.
Experienced Syracuse Medical Malpractice Attorneys
If you have suffered harm due to a multiple myeloma misdiagnosis or another type of oncology malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. While no amount of money can undo the harm that a patient experiences, it can help you move on with your life. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable for the harm that they cause. To discuss your case in more detail with a member of our team, you should not delay in calling us today at 833-200-2000 or contacting us online.
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