My Doctor Didn’t Do Anything About My Rectal Bleeding: Can I Sue?
Rectal bleeding could indicate a serious medical issue, and all doctors should take it seriously. But what happens if your doctor doesn’t seem to care when you tell them you’ve noticed blood coming from your rectum? What if you later develop a serious medical condition, and you suspect that it was caused by a delayed diagnosis in Baltimore? This is something you might want to discuss with a medical malpractice lawyer in Maryland – and it could lead to a lawsuit.
Rectal Bleeding Could Be a Sign of a Serious Health Issue
All doctors are trained to view rectal bleeding as a sign of a potentially serious health issue. Until these dangerous issues can be ruled out, patients with rectal bleeding should be treated with urgency and caution. Here are some of the most serious health conditions associated with rectal bleeding:
- Cancer: Rectal bleeding is associated with various forms of cancer, including colon cancer, rectal cancer, and anal cancer. Doctors should immediately rule out these issues if they come across patients with rectal bleeding.
- Ulcerative Colitis: This illness is associated with Crohn’s disease, and it may lead to various comorbidities. This might include anemia, colon cancer, and osteoporosis.
- Intestinal Infections: Rectal bleeding may be associated with an infected intestine. In turn, infected intestines could be linked to serious conditions – including typhoid fever, cholera, salmonella, and botulism to name but a few. Many of these issues require immediate treatment.
This list is by no means exhaustive. If you have rectal bleeding, you should see a doctor immediately. The problem is that many doctors are dismissive of rectal bleeding – and many assume that the condition is “benign.” This may be due to the fact that hemorrhoids are commonly associated with rectal bleeding – and this condition is not life-threatening.
When Can I Sue for Delayed Diagnosis After Rectal Bleeding?
You may be able to file a medical malpractice claim if your doctors failed to adequately test or treat your rectal bleeding. Doctors should always rule out the most serious potential issues associated with this symptom – and perhaps the most notable example is cancer.
If your healthcare provider failed to test for cancer after you presented with rectal bleeding, you could potentially sue if you later develop cancer. The same logic applies to many of the other serious issues associated with rectal bleeding. Doctors cannot simply assume that you have hemorrhoids – they must confirm this condition with adequate testing (including colonoscopies).
Can a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Help with a Delayed Diagnosis in Baltimore?
If you suspect that your rectal bleeding was not addressed with enough urgency, you might be right. If you eventually developed a serious health condition linked to this symptom, you have every right to consider legal action. Doctors should be held accountable for failing to address such a serious sign of concern, and Furman Honick Law may be able to help. Reach out today to schedule your first consultation with an experienced Baltimore misdiagnosis lawyer – and take your first steps toward justice.
Sources:
mayoclinic.org/symptoms/rectal-bleeding/basics/causes/sym-20050740
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10351-ulcerative-colitis#symptoms-and-causes
