Diabetes Diagnosis
If you've suffered harm because diabetes wasn't diagnosed when it should have been, you may be entitled to compensation. Diabetes is a serious condition that requires careful management, and when doctors fail to recognise the symptoms or order the right tests, the consequences can be life-changing. At The Medical Law Partnership, we specialise in helping patients like you to hold medical professionals accountable for these failures. Here's how we can support you in making a claim for the harm you've suffered.
How common are errors in Diabetes diagnosis?
Mistakes in diagnosing diabetes happen more often than you might think. Many patients tell us how they visited their GP multiple times with significant symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss or constant fatigue, only to be told it was stress or a viral infection. Research shows that type 1 diabetes is particularly prone to misdiagnosis, sometimes with tragic consequences when it leads to diabetic ketoacidosis. Type 2 diabetes is also frequently missed, allowing blood sugar levels to remain dangerously high for months or even years. If this sounds like your experience, you’re not alone, and we can help you investigate whether you have grounds for a compensation claim.
The most frequent errors we see include GPs failing to consider diabetes when patients present with typical symptoms or not ordering basic blood glucose tests when risk factors like family history or obesity are present. We’ve handled cases where doctors dismissed symptoms in children as growing pains or urinary infections, delaying type 1 diabetes diagnosis until emergency hospitalisation was needed. Other common failures include misinterpreting test results, not following up on borderline glucose readings, or failing to recognise the more subtle symptoms in older patients. In pregnancy, missed gestational diabetes can have serious consequences for both mother and baby. If any of these failures led to a delayed diagnosis in your case, causing you harm, we can assess whether you have a valid claim for compensation.
Starting your claim with us is simple and straightforward. When you first contact us, we’ll listen carefully to understand your experience and assess whether there are grounds for a negligence claim. Our specialist solicitors have particular expertise in diabetes cases and will explain the process in clear, jargon-free terms. We’ll obtain your medical records and arrange for independent diabetes specialists to review your case. You won’t need to worry about upfront costs as we typically handle these cases on a no-win, no-fee basis. Throughout the process, we’ll handle all the legal complexities while keeping you informed at every stage. Our aim is to make claiming compensation as stress-free as possible while fighting vigorously to get you the settlement you deserve.
The compensation you may receive depends on how the delayed diagnosis has affected your health and life. For cases where the delay caused temporary harm, this might include compensation for unnecessary pain and suffering, plus any financial losses like lost earnings during illness. In more serious cases where permanent complications developed – such as nerve damage, vision problems or kidney disease – the compensation will reflect these life-changing consequences. We’ve secured compensation for clients who developed diabetic retinopathy due to delayed diagnosis, or who suffered severe complications like foot ulcers leading to amputation. The amount can also include future care costs, lost earning capacity if you can no longer work, and compensation for the impact on your quality of life. We’ll carefully assess all aspects of how this negligence has affected you to ensure your claim fully reflects your suffering.
Most diabetes negligence claims take between two and four years to resolve, though straightforward cases may settle more quickly. Complex cases involving severe complications or disputed liability often take longer – sometimes several years. The time frame depends on factors like how quickly we can obtain and review your medical records, whether the defendant admits fault, and the extent of your ongoing health needs. While this may seem like a long time, we’ll work efficiently to progress your claim while ensuring we don’t compromise on securing the full compensation you deserve. Throughout the process, we’ll keep you regularly updated and explain each step as we work towards achieving the best possible outcome for you.
Contact The Medical Law Partnership today.
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