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Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
Melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the UK. Survival rates for melanoma are high with 87.4% of people diagnosed surviving the disease for 10 years or more.
If your skin cancer diagnosis was late or misdiagnosed, leading to your cancer getting worse or spreading to other parts of the body you may be eligible to compensation.
We offer our clients:
- No Win No Fee agreements
- A free, initial, no-obligation assessment
- Expert medical negligence legal advice
- Maximum compensation
We will handle your claim with empathy and care. Contact us today on 0344 854 7000 or submit your enquiry below and we will call you back.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs of the body if left untreated. It is caused when skin cells develop abnormally.
Exposure to UV light is the cause of most melanomas. Intense sun exposure which leads to sunburn can cause skin cancer.
People with the following features or family history are more likely to develop melanoma:
- Lots of moles or freckles
- Pale skin that burns easily
- Red or blonde hair
- A close family member who has had melanoma
What are the symptoms of melanoma?
The appearance of new moles or the change in shape, size or colour of existing moles can be a sign of melanoma.
Melanomas tend to be irregular in their shape and are more than 1 colour. They can also be larger in size than other moles on the body, along with being itchy and sometimes can bleed.
For more information on the different types of melanoma visit the NHS website.
What is classed as negligence?
If you received negligent treatment which led to the development of skin cancer, or skin cancer becoming worse you may be eligible to make a claim. Examples of negligence include:
- Failure to conduct a proper examination.
- Failure to refer you to a specialist as early as they should have.
- Failure to fully remove cancerous cells during surgery.
- Failure to interpret biopsy results correctly.
How much will my claim be worth?
It is not possible to say exactly how much your skin cancer misdiagnosis claim will be worth. Each compensation payout is calculated based on the individual circumstances of each case. Solicitors calculate claims based on general and special damages.
General damages: This is the compensation paid out for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity resulting from the illness. Physical and psychological injuries are covered by general damages.
Special damages: This covers any current and future financial losses incurred as a result of the illness. Examples of special damages include:
- Loss of earnings through being unable to attend work, or work to the same capacity as you did pre-illness
- Medical and rehabilitation treatment costs.
- Care costs.
- Home and vehicle adaptation costs.
- Mobility aids.
Is there a time limit for making a claim?
You need to start your skin cancer negligence claim within three years of the date that you became aware that your treatment was negligent.
How much will it cost me to make a claim?
Our medical negligence solicitors will assess your case and if we believe it has good prospects, we will agree to take on your case under a conditional agreement. This is more commonly known as a No Win, No Fee agreement. This means that you will only pay legal fees if your claim is successful.
This is typically up to 25% of your settlement and will be explained to you at the start of the claims process.
