Medical Misdiagnosis Claims
The NHS provides outstanding care for millions of people every year and it is something that many people across the country value deeply. However, there are occasions where things go wrong and a condition is misdiagnosed or symptoms are missed altogether. When this happens, it can lead to unnecessary pain and suffering, delays in receiving the right treatment and in some cases, life changing consequences.
If you have experienced harm because of a medical misdiagnosis, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Our specialist medical negligence solicitors in Plymouth support clients across Devon and Cornwall with clear advice, straightforward guidance and compassionate support throughout the claims process.
If you think you or a loved one has been a victim of surgical negligence, contact us, and we'll do all we can to help.
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You may be able to claim compensation for medical negligence if you’ve been given an incorrect diagnosis. The most common types of medical misdiagnosis are an incorrect misdiagnosis leading to unnecessary surgery or treatment, or a delay in the correct treatment or surgery because you were misdiagnosed for something much less serious.
If you have suffered harm as a result of a medical misdiagnosis, then you may be entitled to make a No Win No Fee claim with Nash & Co Solicitors. We offer a free initial consultation to establish what has happened and provide you with our suggested course of action.
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There is so much stress in the NHS currently, caused by under funding and an acute lack of staff. This can cause mistakes to be made, which in turn can lead to a medical misdiagnosis.
Not being given the correct or appropriate tests, medical staff misinterpreting the test results, and the backdrop of stress in the NHS can all, unfortunately, contribute to cases of medical misdiagnosis taking place.
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This is a really difficult question to answer, as every claim is decided on the patient’s own unique situation. The amount of compensation awarded very much depends on the severity of the injury, and the effect that this has had on your life. Also included in any claim are lost earnings, long-term care that’s required, rehabilitation and adaptions to houses to aid recovery and independent living.
We always ensure that compensation claims look to the future as well. The amount of money that’s awarded needs to provide you with the best quality of life in the future, so future care costs, equipment and treatments, along with future loss of earnings all need to be taken into consideration.
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Yes, our Medical Negligence team work on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that there’s absolutely no financial risk to you or your family. We won’t ask you to make any upfront costs at all.
We may even be able to get you some interim payments to help pay for medical treatments and rehab.
In our free initial consultation, we can explain this more detail how your claim could be funded. We’re also able to answer any other questions that you may still have.
Get in touch with us to
talk about your situation
Medical misdiagnosis happens when a patient receives an incorrect diagnosis, when symptoms are missed altogether or when there is a delay in identifying the correct condition. In some cases this can result in unnecessary treatment or surgery, while in others it can delay important treatment for a more serious condition.
There are many reasons why medical misdiagnosis can happen. Pressure within the NHS, staff shortages, tests not being carried out appropriately and medical staff misinterpreting test results can all contribute to mistakes being made. Unfortunately, these situations can sometimes lead to significant harm for patients.
A medical misdiagnosis can affect both physical and emotional wellbeing. Some people may experience worsening symptoms or complications because treatment was delayed, while others may undergo treatment that was not needed. In serious cases, a misdiagnosis can even become life threatening.
What is Medical Misdiagnosis?
In most medical negligence claims, the time limit for bringing a claim is generally three years from the date the injury occurred or from the date you became aware that the injury may have been caused by medical negligence.
However, every case is different and there can be exceptions to the time limit. Because of this, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible so that your circumstances can be assessed and any relevant time limits considered.
If you are unsure whether you are still able to make a claim, our team can discuss this with you during a free consultation.
Time Limits for a Medical Misdiagnosis Claim
How Do I Make a Medical Misdiagnosis Claim?
If you believe you have suffered because of a medical misdiagnosis, the first step is to speak with a specialist medical negligence lawyer. At Nash & Co Solicitors, we offer a free initial consultation where we can discuss what happened and explain whether you may have grounds to bring a claim.
Our team will listen carefully to your experience, review the circumstances surrounding your diagnosis and explain the next steps clearly. We understand that bringing a claim can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with the impact of medical negligence, so we aim to make the process as straightforward and supportive as possible.
We handle medical misdiagnosis claims on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning there is no upfront financial risk to you or your family. In some cases, interim payments may also be available before the conclusion of your claim to help with financial pressures, treatment costs or rehabilitation needs.
Why choose Nash & Co Solicitors?
Our specialist lawyers here at Nash & Co Solicitors in Plymouth are here to help you through a really rough time. Our team will take great care when handling your misdiagnosis claim, and as well as being extremely good lawyers, they’re really good people too. They’re sensitive to your situation, and they will do all they can to help you.
The team also recognises that no two situations are the same. We’ll always put clients first, and ensure that you’re comfortable with everything that’s happening. We’ll never use complicated legal jargon that leaves you wondering what we mean or what’s happening. And we’ll ensure that you’re always kept fully up to date with everything that’s going on. You’ll be involved at every stage of the process.
Client-first approach
Supporting clients properly is at the centre of how we work. We understand that many people contacting us after a medical misdiagnosis are dealing with uncertainty, stress and ongoing health concerns. Our role is to make the legal process feel clear, supportive and manageable.
We will always take the time to explain your options and answer your questions in plain English. You will never be left wondering what is happening with your claim or what the next stage involves. Our team believes in keeping clients informed and making sure they feel comfortable throughout the process.
We also understand that financial worries can often follow a medical misdiagnosis. That is why we handle claims on a No Win No Fee basis and may be able to help secure interim payments in appropriate cases to support treatment and rehabilitation before a final settlement is reached.
Additional Support
A medical misdiagnosis can affect many areas of a person’s life beyond their immediate health concerns. In addition to compensation for pain and suffering, claims may also take into account financial losses and future support requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include loss of earnings, long-term care, rehabilitation costs and adaptations required to support independent living. Future treatment costs and future loss of earnings may also be considered as part of the claim.
In some situations, interim payments can be requested before the conclusion of a claim. These payments can help reduce financial pressure and may be used to fund private treatment, rehabilitation or ongoing support while the claim continues.
Meet the Medical Negligence team
Medical Misdiagnosis Frequently Asked Questions
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Some examples of medical misdiagnosis include misdiagnosing cancer, heart attacks, stroke, infections, and neurological conditions.
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If you have suffered harm or injury as a result of a misdiagnosis, you may have grounds for a medical misdiagnosis compensation claim. We’d strongly recommend you give us a call or get in touch by email so that we can discuss the details of your case and assess your legal options.
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Depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injury. In serious cases there can be substantial awards for future expenses.
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In the UK, the time limit for filing a medical negligence claim is generally three years from the date of injury or from the date when you became aware that the injury was caused by medical negligence. However, this could be longer if the harm caused doesn’t show itself until later.
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Signing a consent form does not waive your right to pursue a medical misdiagnosis claim. If the medical professional acted negligently and failed to properly diagnose your condition, you may still have grounds for a claim. All medical treatment carries risk and sometimes there are unavoidable complications. It would be best to speak with us about this as we are able to check the paperwork that you’ve signed.
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To prove a medical misdiagnosis claim, you will need to show that the medical professional breached their duty of care, causing you harm or injury. This will involve obtaining medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence to support your claim. This evidence is something that we would help get for you.
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If your enquiry is urgent then please call us on 01752 827085.
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