Bone Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
Bone cancer is a rare but serious form of cancer, and can have a devastating impact on a person's life. If your doctor fails to correctly diagnose your condition and you experience a negative outcome as a result, you may be able to make a bone cancer misdiagnosis claim.
The specialist bone cancer negligence solicitors at JMW are here to help you build the strongest possible case for compensation. If you have had your bone cancer misdiagnosed, and this resulted in your condition being left untreated, then we will assist you in securing compensation to help with your future needs.
We understand how distressing it can be to deal with the health impact of cancer, and we are dedicated to making the process as stress-free as possible for you and your family. We work on a no win, no fee basis.
To learn more about making a bone cancer negligence claim, contact us today on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online contact form to request a call back.
How JMW Can Help With Bone Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
The medical negligence claims process can be complex and time-consuming, but the expert team at JMW Solicitors has many years of experience handling cases just like yours, and will work to bring about the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
Thanks to our comprehensive understanding of the law and track record of making successful claims for individuals in similar circumstances, our cancer misdiagnosis solicitors will be able to build a strong case that has the best chance of a swift and satisfactory outcome. Our focus will always be to resolve the claim as soon as possible, while delivering the best possible compensation settlement that you are entitled to.
Our medical negligence team is led by Eddie Jones, a widely respected legal expert within this field, and includes members of the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitors panel and the Law Society's specialist panel for clinical negligence solicitors.
By making a bone cancer misdiagnosis claim, you will be able to claim compensation to reflect the pain and suffering you have experienced, and to help you pay for the cost of any treatment and support you require as a result of your misdiagnosis. A successful claim will also help to ensure that the medical professionals responsible for the mistake are held accountable, which can help to ensure that no other cancer patients are forced to go through the same process.
What are the Causes of Bone Cancer Misdiagnosis?
The signs and symptoms of bone cancer vary from patient to patient, with some of the most common - including pain, swelling, fatigue and unexpected weight loss - being general enough to be easily confused for other conditions. This is why the medical professionals responsible for your care have a responsibility to investigate your symptoms carefully, using all reasonable means available to them, in order to make sure they reach the right diagnosis.
There are various circumstances that might potentially result in bone cancer being incorrectly diagnosed:
- Your GP or consultant did not sufficiently investigate the symptoms of your bone cancer, resulting in a delayed diagnosis
- The signs of bone cancer were missed due to mistakes made during a biopsy or scan, whether due to a lack of access to adequate imaging equipment, or because of errors made in the analysis of the results
- The medical professional responsible for your care did not refer you for further tests, resulting in your cancer diagnosis being missed or delayed
- Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer affecting children and young adults, is misdiagnosed as simple growing pains
- Your bone cancer was wrongly diagnosed as another condition, meaning you were administered inappropriate treatments while your cancer progressed
Every medical professional has a duty to deliver a reasonable standard of care, and if mistakes are made that result in a cancer diagnosis being missed, you will have a strong case to argue that they failed to uphold this duty of care.
Because bone cancer is a serious condition, early detection and treatment is vital for providing the patient with the best possible chances of survival and recovery. As such, a delayed or late diagnosis of bone cancer can have a serious impact on the patient's health.
How Do I Make a Bone Cancer Misdiagnosis Claim?
If you have been subject to a bone cancer misdiagnosis, or believe that the care you have received from your healthcare provider has been substandard, JMW can investigate your case to see whether you have grounds to make a claim.
The process for cancer misdiagnosis compensation claims works as follows:
- Contact JMW as soon as possible to set up a free initial consultation to discuss the circumstances of your misdiagnosis. We will explain everything you need to know about the process, and advise you on whether we think you can make a medical negligence claim.
- We will gather evidence to support your claim, a process that includes reviewing your medical records and case documentation, as well as getting in contact with independent medical experts for their viewpoints. Using this information, we will be able to build your case and provide a guideline for a compensation settlement that would be fair and reasonable.
- We will contact the opponent to attempt to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. We aim to settle all cases out of court wherever possible to ensure a swift and stress-free conclusion, but only if we feel that the settlement fairly reflects the claimant's needs.
- If a settlement cannot be reached, or the opponent denies responsibility, we will begin court proceedings. We will represent you in court and argue your case, supporting you at each stage of the process.
We will handle your case on a no win, no fee basis. Also known as a conditional fee agreement, this arrangement means that legal fees will only be paid if your cancer claim is successful, and there is no financial risk for you or your family.
What Can Compensation Pay For?
How much compensation you will receive for your bone cancer misdiagnosis claim is not fixed, and will vary depending on the severity of your pain and suffering, as well as the impact that your cancer misdiagnosis has had on your life.
The following factors will all be taken into account:
- The cost of ongoing treatment you need to receive as a result of your bone cancer misdiagnosis, including related transport costs and other practical expenses
- Loss of earnings that may have resulted from you having to take time off work, or stop working altogether
- The trauma and distress experienced by you as a result of the cancer misdiagnosis
- Any additional care you need because of the misdiagnosis
FAQs About Bone Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
- What are the different types of bone cancer?
Bone cancer can be classified into two main types: primary bone cancer, which originates in the bone, and secondary bone cancer, which spreads to the bones from another part of the body. According to data from the NHS, around 550 new cases of primary bone cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year.
The most common types of primary bone cancer are:
- Osteosarcoma - this typically affects children and young adults under 20, often during growth spurts in adolescence
- Ewing sarcoma - also found more frequently in younger people aged between 10 and 20, this cancer can occur in both bones and soft tissues
- Chondrosarcoma - this form of bone cancer is more common in adults over the age of 40 and originates from the cartilage cells
Each of these forms of bone cancer affects different types of cell, meaning they will require different treatments and will have varying outlooks.
- What are the signs and symptoms of bone cancer?
The symptoms of bone cancer can vary depending on the type and location of the tumour. Common signs include:
- Persistent pain in the affected bone, which may worsen at night or during physical activity
- Swelling and tenderness around the area of the tumour
- Weakening of the bone, leading to fractures
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or fatigue
It is essential to consult a healthcare professional if you experience persistent symptoms, as early diagnosis can improve treatment outcomes.
- How is bone cancer diagnosed?
A combination of methods is used to diagnose bone cancer:
- Medical history and physical examination, in which your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and examine you thoroughly
- Imaging tests, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and bone scans to help identify abnormal bone structures or tumour growth
- Biopsies, in which a sample of tissue from the affected area is taken and analysed to confirm the presence of cancer cells
Once these tests have been completed, your doctor will be able to tell you whether you have bone cancer, and if so, what stage and grade the cancer is. Staging is a description of how far the cancer has spread, while grading describes how quickly it may spread in future.
- How is bone cancer treated?
Treatment for bone cancer depends on the type, stage and location of the tumour, as well as the patient's overall health. Common treatment options include:
- Surgery - the primary method for treating bone cancer, aiming to remove the entire tumour and some surrounding healthy tissue. Sometimes it will be possible to reconstruct or replace the bone that has been removed, but in more serious cases amputation may be necessary
- Chemotherapy - the use of powerful drugs to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth
- Radiotherapy - high-energy radiation is used to destroy cancer cells or reduce the size of the tumour
- Targeted therapy - you will be prescribed medications that specifically target cancer cells, minimising harm to healthy cells
- What are the causes of primary bone cancer?
The exact cause of primary bone cancer remains unclear, but certain factors may increase the risk:
- Genetic factors - some inherited conditions, such as the rare genetic condition known as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, can increase the risk of developing bone cancer
- Radiation exposure - previous radiation therapy for other cancers can raise the risk of bone cancer
- Paget's disease of the bone - this condition, which affects older adults, is associated with a higher risk of developing bone cancer
Other factors that have been associated with a higher risk of bone cancer include the rare eye cancer retinoblastoma - which is thought to be connected to the same genetic fault as bone cancer - and babies born with an umbilical hernia, which makes them more likely to develop Ewing sarcoma.
- What is the time limit for a medical negligence claim?
The time limit for bringing a medical negligence claim is generally three years from the date of the negligence or the date when you became aware of the negligence. It is crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within the required time frame.
There are some exceptions to this time limit, particularly involving children and patients without mental capacity, so it is essential to consult a specialist medical negligence solicitor for accurate advice based on your circumstances.
To find out more, read our guide on the time limits to making a medical negligence claim.
Talk to Us
If you are looking to make a claim for bone cancer misdiagnosis, it is essential to have the best possible legal guidance on your side. By working with the medical negligence experts at JMW, we will apply our specialist knowledge to help you claim the maximum amount of compensation available, while supporting you through every stage of the claims process.
To start your bone cancer misdiagnosis compensation claim, contact us on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.
