Misdiagnosis claims

When a doctor or health professional fails to diagnose a disease, illness or health condition despite carrying out an examination.

The correct diagnosis is delivered, but later than it should be, affecting recovery time and possibly creating further, otherwise avoidable health issues.

The wrong diagnosis is provided, resulting in improper treatment and medication – potentially worsening your health.

Contact our expert misdiagnosis solicitors to get started. Our lawyers will ask you questions in confidence about your case, assessing…

• whether you received a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• who is responsible
• if you have a claim

You can file a claim against an individual such as your GP, or an organisation like a private healthcare company.

This initial assessment is free of charge. We take most of our medical misdiagnosis cases on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. If we take on your case, a dedicated misdiagnosis solicitor will lead you through the process.

Cancer, infections and vascular events (heart problems) are the illnesses most likely to be misdiagnosed, according to US research. Some scientists call these ‘the big three’ as they account for three-quarters of all serious harm related to misdiagnosis. In the UK, a study found four in 10 cancer patients receive a misdiagnosis before getting the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Some of the most common types of misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis claims relate to:

• Cancer: An estimated one in two people are at risk of being diagnosed with cancer. There are many different cancer types with overlapping symptoms, potentially leading to a misdiagnosis. In the worst cases, a fatal misdiagnosis can result in preventable death.
• Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes require different treatments, so misdiagnosis can cause further complications.
• Head injuries: Head and brain injuries can be severe. Delayed or misdiagnosis can lead to brain damage, cerebral palsy and other life-changing conditions.
• Meningitis: Treating meningitis early can prevent serious illness and death. Bacterial and viral meningitis are the two main types, but they have similar symptoms, which means misdiagnosis can occur.
• Heart disease: Around a third of heart disease patients receive a misdiagnosis following a heart attack. According to the same study, 250 deaths per year could have been prevented if the diagnosis had been correct.
• Gynaecology - The misdiagnosis of conditions such as endometriosis can leave women at risk of compromised fertility, in severe pain and needing surgical intervention.

“It’s important to get the diagnosis right straight away. If the correct diagnosis is delayed this will in turn delay the treatment. Time is critical – for the best outcome patients need the correct treatment as quickly as possible.5” – Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation.

You can file a claim within three years of being made aware of the misdiagnosis. When making misdiagnosis claims on behalf of a child, there is no such time limit. The three-year limit applies once they turn 18. The same applies to claiming for a loved one who died due to a fatal diagnosis – you must make the claim within three years of their death.

The amount of compensation you can expect to receive will depend on various factors. These include:

• The severity of your injuries
• Total care costs
• Lost earnings due to misdiagnosis
• Length of the illness and recovery time
• Changes to your life expectancy
• Liability acceptance
• Lifestyle changes

Solicitors will also take into account the general circumstances surrounding your misdiagnosis claim when considering your compensation.