A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event for any patient – but when that diagnosis is delayed, missed or mishandled due to medical negligence, the consequences can be devastating.
If you or a loved one has suffered avoidable harm because of failings in cancer care, you may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim.
NHS Negligence Claims is part of Price Slate Gawne Solicitors. We have been successfully helping clients across England and Wales seek compensation for medical negligence since 2010 – and we’re here to help.
What is a cancer negligence claim?
A cancer negligence claim is a type of legal action taken when a patient suffers harm as a result of substandard medical care relating to the diagnosis, treatment or management of cancer.
Common examples of claims include:
- Failure to diagnose cancer early enough
- Misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment
- Delays in referring the patient for tests or to a specialist
- Surgical errors during cancer treatment
- Poor follow-up care or communication of results
These errors can result in a worsened prognosis, more aggressive treatment than was necessary and/or even a reduced chance of survival — all of which may be grounds for compensation.
Types of negligent cancer treatment
Cancer negligence can occur in relation to many types of cancer, including:
- Breast cancer – delays in mammograms, misinterpreted scans or missed symptoms
- Bowel cancer – failures to investigate rectal bleeding or abdominal pain
- Lung cancer – missed signs on X-rays or failure to act on persistent coughs
- Prostate cancer – delayed PSA testing or inadequate follow-up
- Skin cancer – moles or lesions wrongly dismissed as benign
- Cervical cancer – errors in smear tests or delays in referring for colposcopy
Whatever the scenario, we work closely with trusted medical experts to determine whether the standard of care fell short and whether earlier intervention could have led to a better outcome.
My cancer was misdiagnosed or my treatment was delayed – can I make a claim?
Yes. If your cancer was missed, diagnosed late or treated incorrectly due to negligence, you may have the right to claim compensation.
However, not every poor outcome is the result of negligence — sometimes, even the best care cannot change the course of the disease.
To bring a successful claim, your solicitor must be able to prove that:
- There was a breach of duty of care (e.g. a GP or hospital failed to act when they should have); and,
- That breach caused harm — for example, by allowing the cancer to progress unnecessarily
If your quality of life, treatment plan or prognosis was affected as a result, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Physical and emotional pain
- Lost income and future earnings
- Medical costs and care expenses
- Reduced life expectancy or impact on quality of life
Contact our specialists today
We understand how difficult it is to cope with a cancer diagnosis – let alone to face the possibility it could have been handled better.
That’s why we offer clear, compassionate advice and no win, no fee representation.
Take the first step today – we’re here for you. Call Us Today On: 0333 305 1013
Frequently Asked Medical Negligence Questions
You are entitled to a medical negligence claim if you received substandard care from a medical professional or healthcare provider - and that care directly caused you harm or made your condition worse.
Common examples of negligence that result in a successful claim include misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, surgical mistakes or failure to obtain informed consent.
For your claim to succeed, our solicitors need to prove that the care fell below an acceptable standard and resulted in injury or loss to you.
A free initial consultation with our experts can help determine whether your case meets these criteria.
Compensation varies depending on the severity of your injury, how it affects your daily life and any financial losses that have happened as a result.
While no two cases are the same, our friendly and supportive team will work to ensure you receive the maximum amount you’re legally entitled to, backed up by expert medical and financial assessments.
We handled medical negligence claims on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and there’s no cost to you if your case is unsuccessful as long as you have complied with the terms of the CFA and the ATE insurance.
If your claim succeeds, no more than 25% will be deducted from your damages to cover your legal costs so you will keep at least 75% of the damages. Don’t worry, we’ll always explain all potential costs clearly before you proceed, so there’ll never be any surprises later on.