Bowel Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims

Bowel cancer can be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms can be similar to other illnesses, such as IBS.

It is therefore very important that doctors carry out full investigations when symptoms appear to test for cancer. Failure to do so may lead to the cancer spreading to further parts of the body and becoming inoperable.

If you, or a loved one, has suffered due to late or misdiagnosed bowel cancer contact us to discuss starting a medical negligence claim.

We offer our clients:

• No Win No Fee agreements
• A free, initial, no-obligation assessment
• Expert medical negligence legal advice
• Maximum compensation

Call us on 0344 854 7000 or submit an online enquiry below:

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What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is the term used to describe cancer that starts in the large bowel. Depending on where the cancer starts it is also referred to as colon or rectal cancer.

Bowel cancer is commonly diagnosed in those over the age of 60, and is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK.

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

Symptoms of bowel cancer can include:

• A change in normal bowel habits which lasts longer than 4-6 weeks. This includes the need to empty your bowels more often, with looser and runnier stools.
• Bowel changes which cause abdominal pain.
• Blood in stools but with no discomfort or soreness.
• Abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating which is always brought on by eating.
• Unexplained weight loss.

How is bowel cancer misdiagnosed?

Given that bowel cancer is highly treatable if detected early on, a delayed or misdiagnosis can lead to devastating consequences; such as the need for more invasive treatment, the cancer spreading to other parts of the body or even death.

Our medical negligence solicitors might be able to help you make a claim if the healthcare trust or medical professional failed to:

• Refer you to a specialist for tests.
• Follow up abnormal test results.
• Properly interpret test results.
• Diagnose symptoms correctly.
• Carry out the correct treatment after diagnosis.
• Discover or monitor your cancer through CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasounds or X-rays.
• Conduct a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy when necessary.

Why should I make a claim?

Making a medical negligence claim through True Solicitors will help you to get the answers and the compensation that you deserve. We will:

• Investigate the mistakes that were made during your treatment.
• Instruct an independent medical expert to assess the details of your treatment to give their opinion on what went wrong and what should have happened.
• Collect evidence to build a case to prove that the health care trust’s negligence led to your misdiagnosis or worsening illness.
• Seek to get an admission of liability and apology from the health care trust responsible.
• Fight to get you the compensation that you deserve to make up for your pain and suffering, loss of earnings and ongoing medical and care needs.

How much will my claim be worth?

It is not possible to say exactly how much your bowel cancer misdiagnosis claim will be worth. Each compensation payout is calculated based on the individual circumstances of each case. Your solicitor will calculate your claim 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 misdiagnosis.  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 misdiagnosis. Examples of special damages include:

• Loss of earnings through being unable to attend work, or work to the same capacity as you did pre-accident.
• 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 bowel 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.

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