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Bowel Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
Being told you have bowel cancer can be incredibly difficult. Finding out that it could have been spotted sooner, or misdiagnosed altogether, can be devastating. If this happened to you and your condition worsened because of it, you may be able to make a bowel cancer misdiagnosis claim.
Healthcare professionals have a duty to diagnose and treat cancer accurately and without unnecessary delay. When that duty isn’t met and it leads to your cancer progressing, it could be classed as medical negligence, meaning you might be entitled to compensation.
A bowel cancer diagnosis can have a huge impact on both you and your loved ones. Our team may be able to help ease the financial strain by supporting you in claiming compensation for the negligence you’ve experienced.
If you think you or someone close to you has suffered from a bowel cancer misdiagnosis, contact our specialist lawyers today. We’ll listen to your story and do all we can to help.
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Yes! Our lawyers work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there is no risk to you or your family's finances when you make a claim.
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The amount you're likely to receive when you make your claim varies enormously depending on your circumstances.
Every case is different, so the final payout will be based on the severity of your illness and any harm you may have experienced as a result of the mistake. The amount tends to be higher the more severe your illness is and the effect it has on your life.
Other factors, like the degree of pain you may have experienced, medical expenses, and loss of earnings, will also come into play.
The compensation for bowel cancer misdiagnosis claims is awarded to put the claimant back in the position they would have been in had the negligence never occurred. It's not to punish the healthcare provider.
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Every bowel cancer misdiagnosis claim is different, so there is no set time frame from claim to settlement. Complex claims can take years, while simpler claims where liability is accepted quickly can be settled faster—time frames are on a case-by-case basis.
Once your lawyer understands more about your case, they may be able to guide you on a rough time frame, and they will be sure to update you throughout the process.
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We know this is a difficult time for families, which is why our team of expert lawyers are here to help and support you from your initial enquiry to the end of your case.
Not only are they exceptional lawyers, but they're also extremely sensitive to your situation. They’ll help you through this next stage with personalised support, excellent communication, and all the details you need to feel comfortable during these next steps.
If you think you have a claim and would like to discuss it with a professional, get in touch with our team today.
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When you may be able to claim
In the UK, around 44,100 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer (also known as colon or rectal cancer) every year, deeply affecting patients and their families.
Detecting cancer early can save lives, but sometimes bowel cancer is missed, diagnosed incorrectly, or identified too late, often with devastating consequences.
In certain cases, a misdiagnosis can result from medical negligence. This means that with the right care and attention, the outcome might have been avoided.
You may be able to claim bowel cancer misdiagnosis compensation if your cancer was missed, incorrectly diagnosed, or diagnosed late, and your condition worsened as a result of the mistake. This can happen if your healthcare provider:
Failed to recognise your symptoms as signs of bowel cancer
Failed to carry out any initial tests or investigations
Carried out the wrong tests and investigations.
Made an administrative or human error, such as reading results wrong.
Did not refer you for more tests or to a specialist.
Failed to give you the right treatment after diagnosis.
Every situation is different, and even if your circumstances aren’t listed above, you may still be able to make a claim.
To find out whether you can make a claim, please contact our team of specialist lawyers, who can guide you through this distressing time.
There is a three-year time limit on making a compensation claim for a cancer misdiagnosis. As soon as you’re aware that medical negligence has taken place, which resulted in a cancer misdiagnosis, causing you further suffering, it's important to speak to one of our specialist solicitors.
Calculating the three-year time limit can be complex. Please do contact us if you are unsure.
We understand the stress you or a loved one is currently experiencing, which is why our team will do all they can to help you achieve a positive outcome.
Contact our cancer misdiagnosis specialist solicitors today for a chat and to arrange your free consultation.
Making a cancer misdiagnosis claim can be overwhelming, but our team of professional lawyers are here to help you navigate through this confusing time.
Get in touch with us today to talk through the details of your circumstances in a free initial consultation with one of our friendly lawyers. They'll also answer any immediate questions you may have about the process.
How we can help
Three year claim limit
We know you're going through a difficult time, which is why our lawyers here at Nash & Co Solicitors in Plymouth are here to help you through.
Our team of experts in surgical negligence will take great care when handling your case. Not only are they excellent lawyers, they're sensitive to your situation, too, and they'll do all they can to help you achieve your desired outcome.
We recognise that no two situations are the same, and we will offer personalised support for your individual case.
Why choose us?
Our client-first approach
Our client-first approach ensures you're comfortable with each stage of the process. We'll never use complicated legal jargon that leaves you confused. Instead, we'll help you understand all the details clearly and concisely.
We're also committed to regular communication, so you're never left wondering what the next step is.
Our team of specialist lawyers works on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning there is absolutely no financial risk to you or your family.
We won't ask you to make any upfront costs, and you won't have to pay a penny out of your own pocket. We may even be able to get you some interim payments to help pay for any medical treatments needed.
In your free consultation, we can explain how your claim will be funded in more detail.
To find out whether you can make a bowel cancer misdiagnosis claim, please call us on 01752 827085. You’ll be able to speak to one of our qualified and expert solicitors immediately. There’s absolutely no obligation to do anything, but the sooner you know what your options are, the better it will be for you.
Additional Support
Bowel Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims FAQs
Below, we have addressed the most commonly asked questions about general misdiagnosed cancer claims and compensation, plus specifics on bowel cancer.
If you have any other questions that aren't answered here, don't hesitate to contact us.
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Bowel cancer can be misdiagnosed because it shares symptoms with non-cancerous conditions. Some of those include:
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
An inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
Appendicitis
Haemorrhoids
Diverticulitis
GI Ulcers
Gynaecological conditions
Digestive diseases, such as Coeliac Disease
When bowel cancer is misdiagnosed, you could receive the wrong treatment, which can be harmful, but will also fail to treat your actual condition, allowing it to become more advanced.
Unfortunately, as it becomes more advanced, the bowel cancer may get to a stage where it becomes more difficult to treat, or in the worst case, terminal.
If your cancer was misdiagnosed, you may be able to claim compensation. Contact us today and take us through the details of your situation—we can advise you on what to do next.
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According to the NHS, the most common symptoms of bowel cancer are:
Changes in your poo that aren't normal for you
Needing to poo more or less often than normal for you
Blood in your poo, which may look black or red
Bleeding from your bottom
Feeling like you need to poo often, even if you've just been to the toilet
Tummy pain
A lump in your tummy
Bloating
Losing weight without trying
Feeling very tired or short of breath. These are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms for more than three weeks, speak to your GP as soon as possible.
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A bowel cancer misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider fails to diagnose bowel cancer, leading to a missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnosis.
Sometimes this is unavoidable, but other times, when a healthcare provider's actions fall below the expected duty of care, it may be considered medical negligence, meaning the misdiagnosis could have been prevented.
If you think you or a loved one has suffered a bowel cancer misdiagnosis due to medical negligence, please contact our team of specialist lawyers, and we'll do all we can to help.
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Yes, it's possible to claim for someone else who is unable to do so themselves. The most common examples are:
Claiming for a child: Children can't legally claim themselves until they reach 18, so a parent or legal guardian can do this for them. If a settlement is not reached sooner, the child has until their 21st birthday to claim.
Claiming on behalf of someone with limited mental capacity: A loved one can make a claim on their behalf, and there is usually no time limit in these cases.
Claiming on behalf of a deceased relative: If your loved one died due to a cancer misdiagnosis, you can pursue a claim for them.
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When you decide to make a bowel cancer misdiagnosis claim, our first step is to listen carefully to your experience and gather the details of what happened.
We’ll then review your medical records and seek expert opinions to determine whether your misdiagnosis occurred because the care you received fell below expected standards, which directly caused your condition to worsen.
If we believe you have a strong case, we’ll guide you through the claims process.
In many cases, claims are settled without the need to go to court. If your case does proceed further, we’ll represent you at every stage. Throughout the process, our aim is to make things as straightforward as possible, keeping you informed and supporting you from start to finish.
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In the UK, you generally have three years to make misdiagnosed cancer claims, which is why you need to proceed as soon as you can. The three years will start from the date of the misdiagnosis or from the date you became aware of it—whichever is later.
There are exceptions to this rule, though. For example, if the claimant lacks mental capacity, there tends to be no time limit. A child has three years from their 18th birthday to bring a claim themselves, meaning the limit extends to their 21st birthday.
To help you understand your specific time limit, get in touch with our team today and get the ball rolling..
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Because of the varying circumstances that are specific to you, there is no fixed average payout for a bowel cancer misdiagnosis claim. Each payout is based on the severity of the claim.
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If you think you might have a bowel cancer misdiagnosis claim, but are not completely sure, you can get in touch with our lawyers today. They'll be able to advise you on whether or not you can make a claim.
Misdiagnosed cancer claims can usually be made if the claimant can prove they received a misdiagnosis due to a healthcare provider's medical negligence, and that directly caused their condition to worsen or further unnecessary treatment.
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In a bowel cancer misdiagnosis claim, you need to first prove that there was a breach of duty of care that led to a bowel cancer misdiagnosis and further suffering or loss of the patient that could have been avoided.
Your lawyer will talk you through any physical evidence, like your medical records, you need to make a claim, and they will research issues raised if necessary.
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Yes, you can sue the NHS if their duty of care fell below standard expectations, and that resulted in a bowel cancer misdiagnosis, which caused further suffering to the patient.
You can do this through our team of expert lawyers here at Nash & Co Solicitors. For more information on how you can make a claim, contact us today, and we'll do what we can to help.
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We completely understand if you feel this way, given the problems the NHS is facing in our current climate.
However, a body called NHS Resolution handles claims against the health authority. The government set up this organisation to handle compensation claims.
NHS Resolution is an arm’s-length body of the Department of Health & Social Care and essentially acts as an insurance provider for NHS Trusts and GPs. Every year, each Trust and GP will pay an amount to NHS Resolution, just like you do for car or home insurance.
When a successful claim is made, NHS Resolution makes the compensation payout on behalf of the Trust concerned. This means that your claim won’t take money away from other patients being treated by the Trust or GP.
If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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If you don’t think you’re getting the level of service or satisfactory advice from your current solicitor, we’d be happy to discuss switching your case to Nash & Co Solicitors. Just call our team on 01752 827085 or contact us online.
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We are transparent about costs
We'll keep things simple and understandable
We'll always be straight with you and keep you informed
You'll get fast, efficient, and reliable service
Rest assured, whatever medical negligence issue you're facing, we'll do our best to help you.
Give us a ring or fill in our form below to speak to a member of our team today, and get the answers you need to make your claim.
If your enquiry is urgent then please call us on 01752 827085.