Lawsuit For Colon Cancer Death Of Twenty-Seven Year Old When Doctor Misdiagnosed Her Complaints Of Rectal Bleeding

Statistically less than one percent of those diagnosed with colon cancer are below the age of 35. But, given the lethal nature of the disease physicians typically acknowledge that the presence of rectal bleeding, even in a patient below 35, has to be investigated by a colonoscopy so as to determine the source of the bleeding Simply assuming that the blood is from hemorrhoids may constitute malpractice.

Consider what occurred in a published claim regarding a woman who complained to her primary care physician that she noticed blood in her stool and felt pain as she had bowel movements. The woman was just twenty four. The doctor, just\without even conducting an examination, prescribed a laxative after deciding that she had diarrhea and other bowel issues. The woman returned four months later claiming she had constipation, pain and problems sitting. This time the doctor finally examined her and told her she had hemorrhoids. His treatment: an enema. She saw that physician on 2 additional occassions and each time was reassured that she only had hemorrhoids and she had nothing to be concerned with.

The woman had to be hurried to an emergency room because of extreme pain 7 months subsequent to her original visit to her primary care physician. They set her up for a colonoscopy through which she was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. The cancer was so widespread by the time she had surgery that not only did the surgeon need to take out part of her colon but in addition had to remove her uterus and a section of her lower intestines. This was followed by chemotherapy. The cancer came back and she died in less than 3 years. She was survived by her husband and daughter, a minor.

The law firm that handled this case documented that a jury awarded the family a sum of $2,500,000. The verdict included $350,000 the largest amount permitted for pain and suffering by the law of the State where the doctor practices. The rest of the award was for future lost wages. This case illustrates what may be the most common medical error regarding a delay in the diagnosis of colon cancer.

Too often physicians do not order a colonoscopy or refer the person to a specialist when a individual complains of rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. Rather, these physicians merely assume that the symptom is due to hemorrhoids. This is particularly typical if the patient is less than 50 years old.

When a situation like the one described above happens and the patient passes away for the reason that the cancer spread so far that a cure was no longer possible as a consequence of the delay in diagnosis the surviving family may be able to bring a claim against the physician who caused the delay.