Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims

Our expert Clinical Negligence lawyers advise clients who have suffered as a result of misdiagnosis of a wide range of cancers. If you or a loved one have a misdiagnosed cancer due to medical negligence, we can help you claim for compensation.

Our approach to cancer misdiagnosis claims

We understand that cancer misdiagnosis is extremely distressing both for the patient and their family, causing a wide range of emotions including anger, fear and sadness. Our specialist clinical negligence team combine expert legal knowledge in this field with a sympathetic and human approach. We will break down the jargon and help you to understand how to make a complaint and begin a claim for compensation. Working closely with expert medical professionals, we will provide guidance at every stage so that you can make informed decisions about how you want to proceed.

Many of the cancer misdiagnosis claims that we advise on are handled on a no win no fee basis, meaning that there is no financial risk to you if your claim is unsuccessful.

What is cancer misdiagnosis?

Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the UK, causing many deaths and affecting many people’s lives every year. Most cancers are caused by a change in the body’s cells that leads to normal cells growing in an uncontrolled way, very often leading to a lump or tumour developing. Due to the huge range of different cell types with in the body there are more than 200 different types of cancer. Some cancers however, such as leukaemia, which is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow, do not form tumours.

Almost all cancers can be diagnosed by appropriate investigations and screening, but the presenting symptoms vary, and detection can sadly sometimes be very difficult.

When a tumour goes undetected it can grow and spread to other parts of the body, often referred to as ‘secondary’ cancers. It is vital that cancer is diagnosed at the earliest opportunity to maximise your chances of recovery. When doctors and other medical professionals make mistakes, your symptoms may be diagnosed too late, meaning your cancer might be harder to treat successfully, which in turn may lead to more significant consequences and, potentially, premature death.

Late or incorrect diagnosis of cancer is a common aspect of cancer misdiagnosis claims for clinical negligence.

Can you make a claim for cancer misdiagnosis?

If clinical negligence has meant that your cancer was misdiagnosed or that your diagnosis was delayed, you may be eligible for compensation. Our experienced and accredited clinical negligence lawyers will approach your case with understanding and sensitivity, seeking answers from those responsible.

We have supported clients with a wide range of misdiagnosed cancers, including:

• breast cancer
• bowel cancer
• lung cancer
• brain tumour
• squamous cell carcinoma
• colorectal cancer
• cervical cancer
• ovarian cancer
• prostate cancer
• testicular cancer
• skin cancer

Our specialist clinical negligence solicitors accept claims on a no win no fee basis, meaning that you won’t have to pay for anything unless you win your case.

Whatever your case, we offer a free initial consultation to help you understand the process and the likely funding basis of your claim.

How much will your cancer misdiagnosis claim cost?

In many cases, we will be able to support you on a no win no fee basis, meaning that if your claim is not successful, you will not have to pay any legal fees.

Whatever your case, we offer a free initial consultation to help you understand the process and the likely funding basis of your claim.

How long do you have to make a cancer misdiagnosis clinical negligence claim?

You usually have up to three years from the date of the discovery of your cancer to start a clinical negligence claim for cancer misdiagnosis.

If the claim is for your child, you have until their 18th birthday to make a claim on their behalf. After this it becomes the responsibility of the child to make the claim, with the three-year limit starting when they reach the age of 18. If they lack the ‘capacity’ to handle their own affairs, the time limit does not apply. Similarly, if the cancer misdiagnosis claim is on behalf of an adult incapable of handling their own affairs, the limitation does not apply.

We recommend that you contact us as soon as possible, so that our clinical negligence lawyers can explain the process of claiming compensation, start your claim and help you access any other support and/or rehabilitation you need.

How much compensation could you receive?

Every case of cancer misdiagnosis is different. That’s why it is important to get expert advice from qualified specialist lawyers who really understand the unique nature of each cancer misdiagnosis claim and who are experienced in working with medical professionals to truly understand its long-term implications.

The amount you can claim will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of your cancer, potential treatment options and your prognosis, any financial losses you or your loved one have suffered or will suffer in the future, and any changes to your lifestyle that you have to make as a result of the cancer misdiagnosis. Whatever the case, our specialist clinical negligence lawyers will ensure that you get the compensation and support you are entitled to.