Personal Injury Law

The Importance of Getting a Second Opinion

By Melissa Kelly

A recent New York Times article relates the sad story of Monica Long. In 2007, after her annual mammogram revealed a questionable area in her right breast, Monica underwent a biopsy. A week later, she was diagnosed with a form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. She underwent a quadrantectomy, a procedure to remove one-fourth of her right breast, followed by six weeks of radiation treatments.

Nearly a year later, Monica learned that she had actually never had DCIS, and that the surgery and radiation had been entirely unnecessary. As the article describes, the pathologist who interpreted Monica's biopsy misdiagnosed her with DCIS, when in fact she was cancer free.

The misdiagnosis in Monica's case can be attributed to many causes – the pathologist was not experienced in reading breast biopsies and breast cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose – but her story serves as a prime example of why it is so important to get a second opinion before making a major medical decision. It is easy to understand why someone might hesitate to do so. Some people might feel like they are betraying a physician with whom they have developed a relationship. Others might worry about the time it takes to obtain a second opinion. These concerns diminish, however, when compared to the possible tragic consequences of a misdiagnosis.

Were you or someone you know injured by a medical misdiagnosis? The attorneys at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP have the experience and knowledge to obtain recovery for injuries caused by medical errors, including misdiagnoses. Please contact us today.

Full post as published by Cleveland Personal Injury Lawyer on July 20, 2010 (boomark / email).