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Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, but it can still come as a shock when you or a loved one is misdiagnosed. Skin cancer misdiagnosis claims can be made if your diagnosis was delayed, missed, or incorrect, and you may be entitled to compensation.
When a healthcare provider breaches their duty of care and fails to diagnose your cancer accurately and quickly, this could be medical negligence. If you suffered further harm as a result, you may have a claim.
Skin cancer can have an unfortunate impact on people’s lives. A cancer diagnosis delay only exacerbates this, causing further emotional, physical, and even financial effects on patients and their families. That’s why we’re committed to helping you get the compensation you deserve.
If you think you or a loved one has been the victim of a skin cancer misdiagnosis, please get in touch with us today, and we’ll do everything we can to help you through the claims process.
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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.
Medical negligence cancer payouts for skin cancer misdiagnosis claims are 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 skin cancer diagnosis delay, misdiagnosis, and missed diagnosis 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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talk about your situation
When you may be able to claim
Approximately 17,660 cases of melanoma and 155,985 cases of non-melanoma are diagnosed annually in the UK, damaging the lives of patients and their families.
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, and cases are continuing to rise. Early diagnosis is critical to curing the cancer and stopping it from spreading.
A skin cancer misdiagnosis can delay the correct treatment, leading to your illness progressing.
If you received a misdiagnosis and your cancer progressed because a healthcare provider breached their duty of care (medical negligence), you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Potential grounds for a claim can be if your healthcare provider:
Failed to recognise your symptoms as signs of skin cancer.
Failed to carry out any initial tests and investigations.
Carried out the wrong tests and investigations.
Made an administrative or human error, such as misreading results.
Did not refer you for more tests or to a specialist assessment.
Failed to give you the right treatment after diagnosis.
Not everyone has the same experience, and if yours isn’t listed above, you may still have a claim.
To find out, please contact our specialist team. They’ll do everything they can to help and support you through this difficult 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. If you are unsure, please contact one of our team for some free, no obligation initial advice.
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 medical 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 ensures you're comfortable with each step 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 client-first approach
Our team of specialist lawyers work 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 medical treatments and rehabilitation.
In your free consultation, we can explain how your claim will be funded in more detail.
To find out whether you can make a skin cancer misdiagnosis claim, please call us on 01752 827085.
You'll get to speak to one of our lawyers right away, and we can answer some of your questions there and then. We can also talk about booking you in for your free consultation.
Additional support
Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims FAQs
Below, we have addressed the most commonly asked questions about generalised cancer misdiagnosis claims and compensation, plus specifics on skin cancer.
If you have any other questions that aren't answered here,don't hesitate to contact us.
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Skin cancer (both melanoma and non-melanoma) can sometimes be misdiagnosed because it shares symptoms with non-cancerous conditions. Some of those include:
Psoriasis
Non-cancerous moles
Non-cancerous cysts
Eczema
Seborrheic keratosis
Warts
Scars
When skin 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 skin 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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There are two primary categories of skin cancer: non-melanoma (the most common) and melanoma. According to the NHS, symptoms of non-melanoma are as follows:
Growth or unusual patch on the skin anywhere on the body
A growth that’s getting bigger or changing in colour or texture
A growth or area of skin that itches, bleeds, hurts, crusts, or scabs for more than 4 weeks
According to the NHS, symptoms of melanoma are:
A new mole anywhere on the body
A change in an existing mole
A mole with an uneven shape or edges
A mole with a mix of colours
A large mole
Moles that are swollen, sore, itchy, bleeding, or crusty
A dark area under the nail that has not been caused by injury
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, and they aren’t usual for you, speak to your GP as soon as possible.
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According to Macmillan, there are three main types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.
The latter is melanoma, which is less common and more serious, and the others are non-melanoma forms of skin cancer, which are more common and easily treated when caught early.
Melanoma is treated differently from non-melanoma types of skin cancer.
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A skin cancer misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider fails to diagnose, leading to a missed, incorrect, or delayed diagnosis of skin cancer.
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 additional harm caused by the misdiagnosis could have been prevented.
If you think you or a loved one has suffered a skin cancer diagnosis delay 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. Alternatively, if your loved one subsequently dies as a result of other causes, it may be possible to make a claim on behalf of their Estate for the lifetime effects of the medical negligence.
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When you decide to make a skin 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 skin cancer misdiagnosis claim.
Medical negligence cancer payouts are based on the severity of the claim.
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If you think you might have a skin 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 caused them to undergo further unnecessary treatment.
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In a skin cancer misdiagnosis claim, you need to first prove that there was a breach of duty of care that led to a skin cancer misdiagnosis and further suffering 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 skin 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 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 or GP concerned. This means your claim won’t take money away from other patients being treated by that 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.
Get in Touch
As one of the top law firms in the region, we make four promises to you that shape our everyday job to deliver exceptional client service and positive outcomes.
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.