Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis
If you're reading this after experiencing a delayed or incorrect skin cancer diagnosis, we understand the distress and frustration you must be feeling. At The Medical Law Partnership, we've helped many patients in your situation, and we want you to know that you may be entitled to compensation for what you've endured.
How common are errors in skin cancer diagnosis?
Skin cancer misdiagnosis occurs more frequently than many people realize. As one of the more common cancers in the UK, you might expect diagnosis to be straightforward, but mistakes happen regularly. Studies suggest that nearly a quarter of melanoma cases are initially misdiagnosed, while other skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are often mistaken for harmless skin conditions.
We frequently see cases where patients repeatedly raised concerns about changing moles or unusual skin lesions, only to be told they were nothing to worry about. What makes these errors particularly devastating is that skin cancer, when caught early, is highly treatable. If your concerns were dismissed or tests were delayed unnecessarily, you’re not alone – and you may have grounds for a compensation claim.
There are several critical points where skin cancer diagnosis can go wrong. One of the most frequent failures we encounter is when GPs or even dermatologists dismiss changing moles or lesions as benign without proper examination or follow-up. Another common mistake is failing to use dermatoscopes (special magnifying tools) when examining suspicious skin growths or misinterpreting what these devices reveal.
We’ve handled cases where biopsy results were misread by pathologists, leading to dangerous delays in treatment. Perhaps most worryingly, we’ve seen situations where patients with clear warning signs like asymmetrical moles, irregular borders, or changing colours weren’t referred to specialists promptly. If any of these failures contributed to your delayed diagnosis, you may have a strong case for compensation, especially if the delay allowed your cancer to progress unnecessarily.
Taking the first step towards a claim might feel daunting, but we’re here to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. When you contact us, we’ll listen carefully to your experience and arrange to review your medical records confidentially. This helps us understand exactly where things went wrong in your diagnosis journey.
Our specialist solicitors, who focus on cancer negligence cases, will assess whether there are grounds for a claim. We’ll obtain independent expert opinions from dermatologists and oncologists to determine whether your diagnosis should have been made sooner, and whether this delay caused you additional harm. Importantly, we work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you can pursue justice without financial worry.
Compensation in skin cancer negligence cases aims to address the full impact of what you’ve endured. This includes compensation for the additional pain and suffering caused by the diagnostic delay, and any more extensive treatment you consequently needed that might have been avoided with earlier detection.
You may also claim for financial losses like lost earnings if you were unable to work during treatment, medical expenses you incurred, and costs of care or assistance you required during recovery. For cases where the delay has led to long-term consequences like scarring, disfigurement, or spread of cancer, compensation can account for future care needs, loss of earnings potential, and loss of quality of life. We’ll ensure your claim fully reflects the physical, emotional and financial impact of the negligence.
Skin cancer negligence claims typically take between 2 to 4 years to resolve, though complex cases can take significantly longer. While this might seem like a lengthy process, it’s important to understand that building a strong case requires thorough investigation, expert medical opinions, and careful negotiation. Straightforward cases where negligence is admitted early may settle towards the lower end of this timeframe, while more complex cases requiring multiple expert opinions or court proceedings may take longer. Throughout what can be a lengthy process, we’ll keep you regularly updated and ensure you have all the support you need.
Contact The Medical Law Partnership today.
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