Cancer Compensation

Cancer Compensation

If you have suffered a misdiagnosis or negligent treatment of cancer, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a medical condition whereby cells in the body increase in size and grow uncontrollably. These cells can then cause damage to surrounding tissue and organs in your body.

There are hundreds of different types of cancer, some of which are more common than others. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer varies depending on the type of cancer a patient has.

How is cancer diagnosed and treated?

Cancer is often diagnosed following the detection of a change in the body, for example, a lump or unexplained bleeding. In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have put in place guidelines that stipulate that a patient with suspected cancer should be seen by a specialist within 2 weeks. Most often, this is a two-week suspected cancer referral made by a GP.

Cancer can also be diagnosed after cancer screening. In the UK we currently have screening for bowel cancer (for those aged between 60 and 74), breast cancer (for women aged between 50 and 70) and cervical cancer (for women aged between 25 and 64).

When seen by a specialist, further tests and investigations can be carried out. These can include, for example, a blood test, an x-ray, an ultrasound, a biopsy, a CT scan and a mammogram, to name just a few.

If the cancer had spread to other areas of the body, this is referred to a metastasis, or a secondary tumour (with the primary tumour being where the cancer first developed).

The diagnosis will be made up of the following:

• Type of cancer (which describes the type of cell the cancer starts in). For example, a carcinoma or sarcoma.
• Stage of cancer (which describes the size and growth of the cancer).
  • This can be coded as TNM (Tumour, Node, Metastasis) followed by a number. For T, the number code can be 1-4 (with 1 being small and 4 being large). For N, the number can be 0-3 (with 0 meaning no lymph node spread and 3 meaning lymph node spread). For M, the number can be 0-1 (with 0 meaning no spread and 1 meaning the cancer has spread).
  • This can also be described as stage 1-4 (with 4 representing the most serious stage of cancer).
• Grade of cancer (which describes how abnormal the cancer cells are).
  • This is noted as grade 1-3 (with 3 representing the most serious grade of cancer)

Treatment for cancer often involves surgery (to remove the cancerous cells/tumours), chemotherapy (medication which is often used to try and shrink the cancer) and radiotherapy (x-rays targeted at cancer cells which is often used to reduce the chance of the cancer returning).

Other treatments can be given including, for example, brachytherapy, hormone therapy, stem cells transplant and immunotherapy.

What if cancer is misdiagnosed?

Early diagnosis of cancer is vitally important in order to minimise the damage caused by the cancer and to minimise spread.

If there has been a delay in diagnosing cancer, this often results in more invasive treatment being required and can result in a worse prognosis following treatment. This can have a tremendous effect on a patient’s life and can be devastating.  It can also result in a patient suffering more pain and discomfort than would have been experienced, had the diagnosis been made earlier.

A delay in diagnosis of cancer can also have devastating consequences, for example, a reduced life expectancy or even death. It is therefore vitally important that a prompt diagnosis of cancer is made.

Can you make a compensation claim?

If you think you have suffered due to a misdiagnosis or negligent treatment of cancer, you may be eligible to claim compensation. Please contact us for advice if you feel you may have a cancer compensation claim, or have suffered any form of clinical negligence.

It is important to contact us as soon as possible. This is because there are strict time limits in place for making a claim for compensation. Once contacted, our solicitors will be able to advise you specifically on the facts of your own case. We even have an in-house dual-qualified doctor/solicitor who can assist in assessing whether or not you may have suffered from clinical negligence.

Why choose us?

• We offer free initial advice & free assistance drafting a letter of complaint.
• We won’t charge you anything upfront, and we work on a No Win, No Fee basis.
• Our specialist team includes a dual-qualified Doctor/Solicitor. 

Why choose Oliver & Co Medical Negligence team? – Read our guide.

You can direct dial our Clinical Negligence Department on 01244 354688 or fill in our contact us form.

Case studies:

Every year we help lots of clients just like you to claim the compensation they deserve. Below is a case study which demonstrates how we have helped a client claim compensation for a cancer claim in the past. Please be aware that the compensation amounts depend on the client’s individual situation and experiences. To see how much your claim could be worth please contact us directly.

Case Study 1: £100,000 in Compensation

• Our client’s wife presented to her GP with a patch of skin on her back that was a distinctly different colour to the rest of her skin. It was also unlike any of the moles on her back. She was told that this was simply a mole and nothing to worry about.
• The patch grew over the next few months. Again she visited the GP, and the GP again reassured her that it was just a mole. Over the next few months, the patch became raised above the skin, became irritated and eventually began to bleed.
• Only at this point, almost 20 months after our client’s wife first presented to her GP, did the GP refer our client’s wife to the hospital. Unfortunately, she was immediately diagnosed with skin cancer.  Sadly, our client’s wife passed away less than a year after her treatment was started owing to the aggressiveness of her cancer.

How we helped:

• A claim was brought on behalf of the Estate of our client’s late wife for a delay in diagnosis of skin cancer.
• The defendant admitted liability and the Estate was awarded £100,000 in compensation.

How can we help you?

Our team is headed by a dual-qualified doctor and solicitor, so we benefit from in-house medical knowledge. Our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors would be happy to help. We can quickly and efficiently assess any areas of potential negligence for a wide range of claims.

We have a wide range of experience in dealing with cancer compensation claims (please see case study above).

We have developed brilliant working relationships with experts in many different fields (including Surgery and Oncology) who we know to be approachable and reliable in assisting us with cancer compensation claims which allows us to ensure we get great expert advice for our clients.

Want to have a free and confidential chat in relation to a potential cancer claim? Give our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors a call on 01244 354688.