Cancer Misdiagnosis and Negligence
Medical Negligence Solicitors in Oldham, helping clients across the North West
Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims Solicitors
It is widely understood that the timely diagnosis of disease is crucial to implementing treatment to maximise the chances for recovery and cure. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis will have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the patient. This is arguably most consequential where there is a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cancer resulting in the failure to commence treatment because this can cause the progression of the disease. This may mean that more extensive treatment is required, impacting quality of life, and in some cases, life expectancy can be reduced as a result.
If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cancer, our experienced medical negligence solicitors can help. To discuss your cancer misdiagnosis claim with a specialist medical negligence solicitor, please either telephone us on 01457 761 320 or email kenneth.lees@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk, and a member of the team will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Understanding Cancer Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
Cancer is defined as the uncontrolled division of cells in a part of the body. Cancer Research UK states that 1 in 2 people in the UK will develop cancer in their lifetime. There are many types of cancer, and they can grow at different speeds and spread to other parts of the body. At diagnosis, cancer is assigned a stage and a grade which will guide the consideration of which treatments are likely to work best. Treatments for cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted drugs.
Cancer can arise from many factors, including genetic, lifestyle, environmental and occupational causes. However, a delayed medical negligence claim, focuses not on what caused the cancer but on whether the standard of medical care, once symptoms were reported, was adequate. Where there has been a failure to diagnose cancer, a delayed diagnosis of cancer or a misdiagnosis of cancer, it is important to carefully analyse the impact of the negligence on the progression of the cancer, the available treatment options, and the chances of recovery and survival.
How Cancer Misdiagnosis Negligence Can Occur
The specialist medical negligence team at O’Donnell Solicitors has extensive experience investigating medical negligence claims involving the delayed diagnosis of cancer, where clients have faced more intensive and invasive treatment and, in some cases, reduced life expectancy. We work to ensure that clients and their families recover the compensation that they are entitled to. Recent cases include:
- GP failure to refer a patient with signs and symptoms indicative of cancer for specialist oncological review under the two-week rule.
- Radiological failures to identify, diagnose and report cancer on x-rays, CT scans and MRI scans.
- Failures to properly interpret test results and to escalate care.
Compensation for successful cancer negligence claims can not only cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the progression of the disease, but also special damages for past and future losses, including loss of earnings, treatment, aids and equipment and care. In the most serious cases where life expectation is impacted, compensation may be secured for surviving family members.
For more detailed information on how a medical negligence claim works, including time limits, funding, and compensation, please see our main Medical Negligence page.
Why Choose O’Donnell Solicitors for Your Cancer Misdiagnosis Claim
O’Donnell Solicitors’ Medical Negligence Department is headed by Kenneth Lees and supported by a team with over a decade of combined experience in clinical negligence litigation. We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation, and the vast majority of claims can be funded by way of a no win, no fee agreement. As a regional firm acting for clients across the North West, we combine specialist expertise with a personal and accessible service.
Types of Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims We Can Help With
Our specialist medical negligence solicitors at O’Donnell Solicitors have helped clients across the North West with a wide range of cancer misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis claims, including:
- Lung cancer misdiagnosis and negligence claims
- Breast cancer misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis
- Skin cancer and melanoma misdiagnosis
- Cervical, ovarian, and gynaecological cancer misdiagnosis
- Prostate and testicular cancer misdiagnosis
- Brain tumour misdiagnosis
- Lymphoma and blood cancer misdiagnosis
- Pancreatic, liver, and kidney cancer misdiagnosis
- Bladder cancer misdiagnosis
- Stomach and oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis
- Head, neck, and throat cancer misdiagnosis
- Fatal claims and inquests arising from cancer misdiagnosis
We can also help with cancer misdiagnosis claims arising from GP negligence, particularly where there has been a failure to recognise red flag symptoms or to make an appropriate two-week wait referral.
