Some patients fail to recognize a case of medical malpractice until the statute of limitations has run out. In states like California, legal action for an injury or family member’s death must occur within one year from the date of the negligence but no more than three years from the date of the injury.

While the legal jargon is best suited to medical malpractice Southern California attorneys, here are three examples of malpractices you may not even be aware of:

Failure to Diagnose Cancer
For women, this could occur have discovered a lump on the breast. If the doctor fails to properly test for a malignancy, the cancer will not be diagnosed. This could result in significant spreading of the cancer, forced chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and even death. The doctor who failed to diagnose the cancer could be held liable and forced to pay for all resulting medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering retributions.

Failure to Treat Appendicitis
A patient suffers severe abdominal pain and visits the emergency room for answers. After seeing the patient, the doctor assumes the condition is gastroenteritis and sends the patient home. Suffering from appendicitis, the patient goes into shock and dies from the ruptured appendix. If the doctor failed to recognize the signs of appendicitis the family can file a medical malpractice claim against the physician.

Mistakes During Childbirth
If a doctor fails to take timely action (such as performing an immediate surgery to deliver the infant), a baby may suffer brain damage during the delivery. Legal counsel should be sought to discuss medical malpractice advice.