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Claiming compensation for delayed or wrong medical diagnosis

If due to a delayed or wrong medical diagnosis you have suffered worse than you would have if you had received the right diagnosis you are likely able to claim compensation. In order to be able to claim compensation the medical negligence must have taken place within the last 3 years. However, if you weren’t aware of the medical negligence until a later date the 3 year time period starts from the point that you became aware of the negligence.

A delayed or wrongful diagnosis can have a serious impact on your life. It can cause you to miss out on time-sensitive and necessary treatment, causing your condition to worsen and it can lead to loss of income when it takes longer for you to recover. In a worst case scenario it can permanently affect your life, end your life or shorten your life expectancy.

Delayed and wrongful diagnosis can occur as a result of a medical professional:

  • Failing to read or report on an X-ray accurately
  • Not ordering the necessary tests and scans at the right time
  • Not reading or responding to test results in a timely manner
  • Failing to refer you to a specialist when you required specialist medical support
  • Not prescribing the correct or adequate medication where these were required

There are many other errors that can be made by medical professionals while you are in their care. Each person’s situation is different and there are an infinite number of treatments provided in the UK, so its impossible to provide you with an exhaustive list.

It is also possible that you experience more than one type of negligence at a time. For example, your doctor may fail to respond to test results which have come back positive, meaning that they fail to refer you for treatment or to prescribe you necessary medication. 

If you believe that you have suffered as a result of medical negligence, a medical negligence solicitor can help you assess your legal options. Consultations are free of charge and can in most cases be carried out over the phone. If you do choose to pursue your claim you can likely do so on a no win, no fee basis.

Causes of Delayed and/or Wrongful Diagnosis

Many delays in diagnosis and wrongful diagnosis are down to human error, known as medical negligence. Tiredness, inexperience, and understaffing could all lead to human error happening. With the NHS as understaffed as it currently is, and medical professionals being as overworked as they have been, delays as a result of human error are reportedly becoming more frequent.

Medical professionals do a fantastic job in most cases and they are caring towards all their patients. However, they are only human after all, and in some cases mistakes unfortunately do happen.

When a misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosis and/or treatment happens to you it can have a lasting impact on your life. Even if it was caused by a complete accident, you can claim for compensation. A delayed diagnosis compensation claim can help you with the financial impact of the misdiagnosis, including the likely financial impact the misdiagnosis will have in the future.