Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis
If you’re reading this after experiencing a delayed or incorrect skin cancer diagnosis, we understand how distressing and frustrating this can be. At The Medical Law Partnership, we’ve supported many patients in similar situations, and you may be entitled to make a cancer misdiagnosis claim. Our team is here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve for the pain, suffering, and losses you’ve faced.
How Common Are Errors in Skin Cancer Diagnosis?
Skin cancer misdiagnosis occurs more frequently than many people realise. 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. At the same time, other skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are often mistaken for harmless skin conditions.
Where things can go wrong in diagnosis:
- Dismissal of symptoms – GPs or even dermatologists sometimes overlook changing moles or lesions, labelling them as benign without proper checks or follow-up
- Lack of appropriate tools – failing to use dermatoscopes (special magnifying devices) during examination, or misinterpreting the images they provide
- Biopsy errors – misread results by pathologists, which can cause dangerous delays in treatment
- Missed referrals – patients with clear warning signs (such as asymmetrical moles, irregular borders, or changing colours) not being referred to specialists quickly enough
If any of these failures contributed to delay or misdiagnosis, you may have a strong compensation case, particularly 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 reflect the full impact of what you’ve been through. This can include:
- Pain and suffering – for the additional distress and discomfort caused by delays in diagnosis
- More extensive treatment – That might have been avoided with earlier detection
- Financial losses – such as lost earnings if you were unable to work during treatment
- Medical expenses – covering any costs you incurred for treatment or medication
- Care and assistance – if you require help at home during recovery
- Long-term consequences – including compensation for scarring, disfigurement, or the cancer spreading due to delays
- Future needs – such as ongoing care, reduced earning potential, or reduced quality of life
We’ll work to make sure your claim fully recognises the physical, emotional and financial impact of the negligence.
Skin cancer negligence claims typically take between two and four 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.
We’re here to listen, support, and fight for the outcome you deserve. Contact us to start your claim today.
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