Choosing the Best Cancer Lawyer

Facing a cancer diagnosis is one of the most life-altering experiences a person can endure. When that experience is compounded by medical negligence, such as a delayed diagnosis, misread test results, or improper treatment, the consequences can be devastating. In those moments, the decision to pursue legal action can feel overwhelming, but it is often a powerful and necessary step towards justice. These cases are complex, involving intricate medical evidence and high emotional stakes, which is why choosing the best cancer lawyer is one of the most important decisions a patient or family member can make. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to malpractice in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, it is wise to talk to an attorney about what steps you can take to protect your interests. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano LLP Cancer Lawyers, our skilled Syracuse cancer malpractice lawyers understand the urgency, gravity, and personal nature of claims arising out of negligent medical care, and if we represent you, we will pursue the maximum compensation available to help you move forward with your life. We regularly represent victims of medical negligence in lawsuits in Syracuse, Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York.

Cancer malpractice claims often arise when a doctor fails to diagnose cancer, delays a diagnosis, misinterprets test results, or provides substandard treatment. Any one of these failures can significantly affect a patient’s prognosis. When cancer is not identified and treated promptly, it may progress to a more advanced stage, reducing the effectiveness of available therapies and increasing the likelihood of pain, suffering, and potentially fatal outcomes. In many cases, these failures result in permanent harm that could have been avoided with proper medical care, and they often form the basis for viable medical malpractice claims.

Given the complexity and high stakes of these cases, choosing the best cancer lawyer is not merely advisable; it is essential. Cancer malpractice litigation involves both an intricate understanding of oncology and a firm command of medical negligence law. An experienced attorney must be able to review and interpret dense medical records, work with qualified medical experts, and develop a persuasive narrative demonstrating how timely and appropriate care would have changed the course of the patient’s condition.

Beyond the initial investigation, the lawyer plays a central role in assembling expert testimony, establishing a comprehensive timeline of care, identifying deviations from accepted standards of medical practice, and calculating the plaintiff’s financial and emotional losses. These may include the costs of medical treatment, loss of income or earning potential, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and, in some cases, the loss of a meaningful chance of survival. Because the outcome of a cancer malpractice case often hinges on the strength of the evidence and the quality of its presentation, choosing the best cancer lawyer means entrusting your case to someone with the experience, insight, and dedication to litigate it effectively under New York law.

The strength of a plaintiff’s legal representation becomes even more critical when navigating the legal standards required to succeed in a cancer malpractice case. Plaintiffs usually have to prove the defendant was negligent in order to present a winning case. In New York, a negligence claim requires a plaintiff to show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty and subsequently breached the duty owed. The duty, which arises from the physician-patient relationship, obligates providers to deliver care consistent with accepted medical standards in their field. A breach occurs when the provider fails to act in accordance with those standards. In cancer-related claims, this may involve failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests, disregard of symptoms suggestive of malignancy, misinterpretation of imaging or pathology, or inadequate follow-up on concerning results.

The plaintiff then has to establish causation, which is often the most vigorously disputed element in cancer malpractice litigation. It requires showing that the breach of care was a substantial factor in causing the patient’s harm. For example, if a delay in diagnosing colon cancer allowed it to spread from the localized stage to distant organs, resulting in the need for aggressive treatment or reducing the patient’s life expectancy, this may form a clear link between the provider’s negligence and the injury suffered. Plaintiffs must also establish that they have suffered legally recognizable damages. 

Expert testimony plays an indispensable role in cancer malpractice cases. Throughout litigation, experts are essential in explaining how the provider’s conduct fell below the accepted standard of care and how that failure caused the patient’s harm. Choosing the best cancer lawyer ensures not only that these experts are identified and engaged early but also that their opinions are clearly and convincingly presented in a way that resonates with judges and juries. 

Choosing the best cancer lawyer is not simply about hiring an attorney with experience. It is about finding someone who understands the devastating impact of a delayed or missed diagnosis and who has the skills and resources to hold negligent providers accountable. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano LLP Cancer Lawyers, our capable Syracuse cancer malpractice attorneys are proud to stand with patients and families during some of the most difficult times of their lives, and if we represent you, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf. Our primary office is in Syracuse, and we represent clients throughout Syracuse, Rochester, and the broader Upstate New York region. You can reach us at 833-200-2000 or fill out our online form to schedule a confidential and free conference.