Bringing a Cervical Cancer Negligence Claim | Nash & Co Solicitors
Written by Mike Shiers and Rebecca Brisley | Medical Negligence team | 13 February 2026
Discovering that you may have suffered because of a medical mistake can feel overwhelming. When that mistake involves a delayed or missed diagnosis of cervical cancer, it can leave you with a deep sense of injustice and uncertainty about the future. You might not just be dealing with the physical effects of treatment, but also with emotional distress, disrupted plans, and financial strain.
Many people in this situation can be reluctant to take legal action because they worry it will be stressful or complicated. A well-supported medical negligence claim is about more than just compensation. It’s about finding out what went wrong, holding professionals accountable, and making sure others do not go through the same experience. The process can seem daunting at first, but with the right legal team, it can become clear, manageable, and focused on your needs from start to finish.
What this article will cover
This guide explains what’s involved in bringing a cervical cancer negligence claim, from how to start the process to what evidence is required and how compensation is calculated. It also outlines how Nash & Co Solicitors can guide and support you with empathy, transparency, and expert care every step of the way.
When does cervical cancer negligence occur?
Medical negligence occurs when the care you receive falls below an acceptable professional standard, and this failure causes you harm that could have been avoided. In cervical cancer cases, this often happens when:
A smear test sample is taken incorrectly or analysed inaccurately
Abnormal results are missed or misreported
Symptoms such as unusual bleeding or pelvic pain are dismissed
Follow-up referrals or investigations are delayed or not made
Communication errors cause important results to be lost or ignored
If any of these failures led to a delay in your diagnosis or treatment, and your condition worsened as a result, you may have a valid claim.
Understanding whether you have a case
Not every poor medical outcome amounts to negligence. Your solicitor will help determine whether your case meets the legal test for negligence. This usually involves two key questions:
Was your care below the standard expected of a reasonably competent healthcare professional?
Did that failure directly cause harm that would otherwise have been avoided?
For example, if a test result was clearly abnormal and should have prompted a referral for further investigation, but you were instead told everything was normal, that could amount to negligence if it caused a delay in treatment.
An experienced solicitor will carefully review your records and seek advice from independent medical experts to establish whether you have a strong case.
How to start a cervical cancer negligence claim
If you suspect negligence played a part in your diagnosis or treatment, it can be helpful to take a few initial steps before contacting a solicitor.
Request your medical records: These include your test results, GP notes, hospital records, and any referral correspondence. You are legally entitled to copies of these under UK data protection law
Write down your experience: Make a timeline of events, including dates of appointments, what was said, and how your condition developed. This can be very useful later on
Keep all correspondence and receipts: Letters, emails, and travel receipts may help demonstrate how your care was handled and any costs you incurred
Once you’ve gathered this information, your solicitor can review it and advise whether the standard of care you received may have fallen below what should reasonably have been expected.
The stages of a cervical cancer negligence claim
A typical claim involves several stages. Your solicitor will guide you through each one, keeping you informed and supported throughout.
Initial consultation: You’ll meet or speak with a specialist solicitor who will listen to your story, review your situation, and explain your options clearly.
Investigation: Your solicitor will obtain your medical records and arrange for independent experts to review them. They’ll assess whether the care you received met the required standard and whether the delay or error caused harm.
Letter of claim: If negligence is confirmed, your solicitor will prepare a detailed letter of claim outlining what went wrong, how it affected you, and what compensation is being sought.
Response from the defendant: The hospital, NHS Trust, or private clinic will then have four months to respond. They may admit negligence or deny it and provide their own explanation.
Negotiation and settlement: Many claims are resolved through negotiation without needing to go to court. If the defendant accepts responsibility, your solicitor will work to secure fair compensation.
Court proceedings (if necessary): If an agreement can’t be reached, your solicitor may begin court proceedings. Even then, most cases are settled before a trial takes place.
How long a cervical cancer negligence claim takes
Every case is different, but most medical negligence claims take between 18 months and three years to resolve. Complex cases, particularly those involving severe injury or disputes over liability, may take longer. Your solicitor will keep you updated throughout and ensure you understand what to expect at each stage.
The legal time limit for bringing a claim is generally three years from the date you became aware that negligence may have occurred. If you’re unsure when that date is, it’s always best to seek advice as soon as possible.
What compensation covers
Compensation aims to put you back, as far as possible, in the position you would have been in if the negligence had not happened. It can cover both financial and non-financial losses, including:
Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity
Costs of medical treatment and ongoing care
Loss of earnings and future income
Psychological support and counselling
Travel expenses and rehabilitation costs
Loss of fertility or long-term health complications
Your solicitor will work with medical and financial experts to calculate a fair settlement that reflects both the physical and emotional impact of what you’ve experienced.
No Win No Fee funding
At Nash & Co Solicitors, most medical negligence cases are funded through a No Win No Fee agreement. This means you only pay legal fees if your claim is successful.
The method of calculation of success fee and any shortfall will be advised at the outset of your claim. You will need to take out After the Event (ATE) insurance in order to progress your claim. There will be no upfront costs as you only pay the premium if you win, and even then it is only payable upon receiving your damages. The policy covers the costs you might have to pay to the other side if you lose and will also provide cover for your own costs in pursuing your claim, such as court fees, expert reports and other disbursements. We will always explain your funding options clearly and transparently, so you can make informed decisions without pressure.
How Nash & Co Solicitors can help
Bringing a claim after medical negligence can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Nash & Co Solicitors, our medical negligence team has extensive experience helping clients across Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall, and throughout the UK to secure justice after cervical cancer misdiagnosis or delay.
We approach every case with empathy, care, and honesty. From your first call to the final resolution, you’ll be supported by an experienced member of the team who takes the time to understand your story and your goals.
If you believe you may have suffered harm because of negligent cervical cancer care, please get in touch. Call 01752 827067 or email medneg@nash.co.uk to arrange a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, review your records, and explain your options clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If your diagnosis or treatment was delayed or mishandled due to errors by medical professionals, and this caused avoidable harm, you may have grounds for a claim. A solicitor will assess your records and advise you.
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Yes. If test errors or reporting delays led to a late diagnosis, that could amount to negligence. Independent medical evidence will help confirm whether the error caused harm.
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Most claims take between 18 months and three years, depending on how complex the case is and whether the other party admits responsibility early.
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No. Your right to NHS care will not be affected, and your medical team should continue to provide treatment and support as normal.
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You can claim for pain, suffering, financial losses, ongoing care, and loss of amenity. In some cases, compensation also covers loss of fertility and psychological harm.
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Your medical records, correspondence, and independent expert opinions are essential. Your solicitor will handle obtaining and reviewing these on your behalf.
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Yes. Family members or estate representatives can make a claim if negligence contributed to a loved one’s death or worsened their condition.
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The amount depends on the severity of the harm caused and its effect on your life. Your solicitor will calculate this with the help of medical and financial experts.
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Yes. While we’re based in Plymouth, we act for clients across Devon, Cornwall, and throughout the UK with the same level of care and support.
