Medical Negligence in Cancer Cases: When Delayed Diagnosis Costs Lives
Cancer is one of the most serious and life-threatening diseases, requiring early detection and prompt treatment for the best possible outcome. However, when medical professionals fail to diagnose or treat cancer in a timely manner, patients can suffer devastating consequences. Medical negligence in cancer cases often results in delayed treatment, unnecessary suffering, and, in some cases, death. Understanding how negligence occurs and what legal options are available is crucial for patients and their families to offer the support needed.
Medical Negligence – Delayed Diagnosis Claims
Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the expected standard of care, leading to harm. In cancer cases, negligence can take many forms, but one of the most common is as a result of delayed diagnosis.
Early detection is critical in cancer treatment. Many cancers, such as breast, lung, and colorectal cancer, have high survival rates if caught in the early stages. Negligence can be as a result of a failure to recognise symptoms, misinterpreting test results or failing to arrange appropriate tests.
A delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis can have devastating effects, including the cancer reaching a more aggressive stage associated with a poorer long term survival outcome, more aggressive treatment or radical surgery being required.
We all know that the medical profession is struggling with backlogs and delays caused by the COVID pandemic, but management of cancer treatment is time critical and should be prioritised.
At Bridge McFarland LLP, we continue to represent families that have lost a loved one due to delays in cancer diagnosis.
How We Have Helped – Recent Delayed Cancer Diagnosis Case
One example is the case of Mr H. – Mr H was suffering with breathlessness. He had a chest x-ray which reported a normal and clear result. Six months later he was getting no better and arrangements were made for him to have a further scan. Sadly, this identified a cancerous mass which was inoperable due to advanced staging of his disease.
We met with Mr H and supported him and his family through the worst possible time of their lives. During the case Mr H sadly passed away and Mrs H continued the case on behalf of his estate. The evidence obtained suggested that the tumour could be seen on the first scan and had Mr H received treatment earlier he could have been cancer free and would not have passed away when he did.
It is important that when there has been a delay in diagnosis the patient and their families get answers to the reasons why this occurred and, where appropriate, compensation to support them.
Medical Negligence Solicitors
If you, a loved one has been affected by a delayed cancer diagnosis, please seek the answers you deserve and telephone our experienced medical negligence team on 0800 987 8800 or make a free online enquiry here and we will contact you. Alternatively, email us at [email protected].
Medical Negligence Specialists – Bridge McFarland LLP
medicalnegligence.co.uk is owned and operated by Bridge McFarland LLP, an established and nationally recognised law firm renowned for specialist expertise and experience in this complex area of law. With our determination and commitment to providing our clients with an exceptional standard of service, we have held the highly regarded Lexcel quality mark since June 2008.
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The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter.
