It is an unfortunate fact of life that cancer will touch us all at some point in our lives.
There have been huge advances in medical research and in techniques to treat cancer and whilst the NHS does its very best to help people who have been diagnosed with cancer, mistakes are made.
Cancer is very difficult to deal with for any individual but where opportunities for diagnosis are missed and the condition has developed to a more advanced stage, those mistakes can have fatal repercussions.
We have extensive experience with all types of cancer claims and recognise it is crucial that medical professionals are swift and decisive in dealing with cancer, no matter the circumstances in which it arises.
The main areas in which we see medical negligence in cancer care are:
- Misdiagnosis – patients can be diagnosed with the wrong type of cancer or even diagnosed with cancer when they do not have it.
- Delay in diagnosis – this can result from a delay in referral for investigation or a delay in conducting investigations such as biopsies. Time is of the essence in reaching a diagnosis.
- Misreading or misinterpreting test results (i.e. x-rays or scans) – this can result in a delay in treating cancer.
- Delay in reacting to test results – again, this can result in a delay in treating cancer.
- Failure to diagnose – cancer is sometimes diagnosed when it is too late to offer any treatment to effect the outcome.
- Failing to initiate the correct treatment or monitor treatment.
The most common types of cancer subject to medical negligence claims are:
- Bladder cancer
- Bone cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Brain tumour
- Breast cancer
- Carcinomas (cell cancer)
- Cervical cancer
- Colon cancer
- Gullet (oesophageal) cancer
- Leukaemia
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph)
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Skin cancer (Melanoma)
- Stomach cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Uterine cancer
If you think that you or a family member may have suffered an injury as a result of failures in the diagnosis or treatment of cancer then you may be entitled to compensation.
We at Freemans have a wealth of experience in dealing with all types of Clinical Negligence claims. We appreciate that you or a family member may be coming to terms with a diagnosis of cancer or that you may have lost a loved one to the disease. Using our knowledge and expertise we will ensure that your claim is investigated fully and in a sensitive manner. We will work tirelessly to ensure you are not only compensated for the pain and losses caused by your injuries but that you also receive support and any further treatment and rehabilitation you may need.
Please call one of our solicitors today on 0191 222 1030 for a free consultation in relation to your claim or complete our website enquiry form.
