Cancer Misdiagnosis
Claim Compensation for Cancer Misdiagnosis
If your cancer diagnosis was missed or delayed, or you did not receive the cancer treatment you should have received, Osbornes can help.
Call 020 7485 8811 today.
“Osbornes handles a wide range of high-value and complex clinical negligence cases, with particular expertise in birth injury, delayed cancer diagnosis, spinal injury, and fatal claims.”
“Osbornes Law is an established firm which handles a breadth of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters.”
Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
If your cancer was misdiagnosed, you may be entitled to claim compensation. This page explains how the claims process works, introduces our expert cancer misdiagnosis lawyers, and answers key questions. You’ll also find real examples of how we’ve helped clients secure financial support after a delayed or missed cancer diagnosis.
Table of Contents
Specialist cancer misdiagnosis lawyers
At Osbornes Law, we’re fearless advocates for cancer patients let down by the NHS and other healthcare providers. Our award-winning medical negligence solicitors are among the most experienced in the UK, and we are proud to work closely with charities like Action Against Medical Accidents to improve patient safety and accountability.
We understand how devastating it is to learn that your cancer could have been treated sooner. We’re here to help you get answers, an apology, and the compensation you need to move forward.
Commonly misdiagnosed cancers
The most frequently misdiagnosed cancers include:
- Breast cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Skin cancer (melanoma)
- Cervical cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Brain tumours
Types of errors that can occur with cancer diagnosis
Cancer misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor does not diagnose the cancer properly. This could be through:
- Failing to investigate your symptoms
- Failing to order a test like a biopsy
- Ordering the wrong tests
- Misinterpreting test results, tissue samples or scans
- Recommending the wrong course of treatment
- Referring you to the wrong type of specialist
A cancer compensation claim is a type of medical negligence claim. Most of our cases relate to the late diagnosis, misdiagnosis or mistreatment of cancer by medical professionals. For example, your GP may fail to identify your symptoms as cancerous and delay in ordering the correct tests. Or, you may receive the wrong diagnosis entirely, resulting in improper treatment that could worsen your health.
With cancer more than any other medical condition, treatment is most effective when the cancer is detected early. This means that late, missed or negligent treatment can lead to a series of poor outcomes for the patient. These include:
- Fewer treatment options available
- The need for more invasive treatment
- More time for cancer to spread
- Depression or psychological conditions that persist beyond the end of the cancer treatment
- Avoidable or early death
If you can show that your cancer care fell below the acceptable standard, then you may have a claim for compensation.
How do I make a cancer misdiagnosis claim?
Cancer misdiagnosis claims can be complicated, so it is vital to consult with a specialist cancer misdiagnosis solicitor to guide you through the process effectively. We have set out the steps below:
- Speak to our experts
We start with a face-to-face meeting, at home, in hospital or at our offices. We’ll listen carefully to what’s happened and advise whether you have a claim. - We assess your case
After our meeting, we’ll talk you through the likely outcome, potential compensation, and how long the process could take. If we agree to take your case, we’ll also explain your funding options, including No Win No Fee agreements. - Your dedicated caseworker
Once your claim begins, you’ll have a named contact looking after your case, keeping you informed and involved at every stage.
Building your case
- Gathering medical evidence
We’ll obtain all relevant medical records – including notes related to your diagnosis, referral history, treatment records, and any follow-up care documentation – to assess where and how the misdiagnosis occurred. - Independent medical reports
We work with independent oncology experts to understand what should have happened and how the misdiagnosis has affected your health and treatment options. - Letter of claim
We formally notify the healthcare provider responsible for the misdiagnosis, whether a GP, consultant, or NHS Trust, setting out what went wrong, its impact on your health, and the compensation you’re seeking. They must acknowledge within 14 days and provide a full response within four months.
What happens next?
- Negotiating a settlement
If the healthcare provider accepts liability, we begin settlement negotiations. We’ll make sure any offer reflects your pain, suffering, future care needs, and financial losses including lost income and medical bills. If you need urgent help, we may request an interim payment.
- Issuing court proceedings
If liability is denied or negotiations break down, we may issue court proceedings. We continue to seek a settlement at every stage, using mediation or alternative dispute resolution where appropriate to avoid court. - Court decision or final settlement
Most claims are resolved out of court. If yours goes to trial, a judge will decide whether negligence occurred and award compensation if the claim is successful.
Can I make a no win no fee cancer misdiagnosis claim?
Yes, most of our medical negligence clients make their claims on a no win, no fee basis. Which means you only pay any legal fees if your claim is successful. If your claim is successful, we will deduct a maximum of 25% of the compensation award.
Why choose Osbornes Law?
We have decades of experience securing very high compensation awards for clients affected by cancer. We are also here to support you and your family through this difficult time.
- Ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK as a top-tier clinical negligence firm
- Named one of The Times Best Law Firms
- Proven track record of securing life-changing compensation for cancer patients
- Lawyers with clinical backgrounds who understand your condition
- Supportive, sensitive approach—your wellbeing comes first
- We’re here when you’re ready. Call us in confidence for a no-obligation conversation about your case.
You can call us now on a no-obligation basis and in the strictest confidence. To speak with one of our solicitors, contact us by:
- Filling in our online enquiry form; or
- Calling us on 020 7485 8811
Related cancer claims
Speak to a Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer
Call us 020 7485 8811
For all new enquiries, please submit your details via the contact forms on our website. This will ensure your query reaches the right team and is handled promptly.
Cancer misdiagnosis claim FAQs
Can you claim compensation for cancer misdiagnosis?
The legal test is:
– Whether the doctor or hospital breached their duty of care to you, and
– Whether you suffered harm as a result
According to the first part of the test, your treatment may be negligent if it falls below the standard of a reasonable body of medical opinion. Since we are legal experts, not doctors, we bring in independent medical experts to determine if the quality of care you received deviated from the usual professional standards.
The second part of the test is to prove that the healthcare provider’s actions caused the harm. For example, if you receive a late diagnosis of breast cancer and an operable tumour became an inoperable tumour as a result, then it is highly likely that the doctor’s actions caused you harm. But if the cancer was untreatable anyway, then it is likely that the doctor’s actions did not contribute to your condition.
As you can see, cancer compensation cases are often very complicated. Having an experienced lawyer by your side is a must. Year after year, the independent legal directories rank Osbornes at the top of our field. We can help you understand whether you have a credible medical negligence claim.
What will impact my cancer misdiagnosis claim?
We will look at various factors when valuing your claim, including:
– The severity of your injuries
– Changes to your life expectancy
– Lifestyle changes, such as having to give up work or hobbies
– Lost earnings due to misdiagnosis
– Medical expenses
– Care costs
Our expert cancer misdiagnosis lawyers will be able to give you a better idea of what you may be entitled to based on your circumstances and similar cases they have seen.
Is there a time limit for making a cancer misdiagnosis claim?
You can file a claim within three years of being made aware of the negligent treatment or misdiagnosis. For a loved one who died due to a late or missed cancer diagnosis, you must make the claim within three years of their death.
Please do not delay in making a claim as this may jeopardise your chances of success.
He also has a niche specialism in claims involving cauda equina syndrome.
Elline Demetriou is building a strong practice as a clinical negligence solicitor, handling a wide variety of cases including delayed diagnosis, surgical negligence and birth injuries.
Elline is always a pleasure to work with and always on top of complex cases.
Elline is a gifted lawyer and possesses a powerful combination of legal and medical skills, being tactically astute and having strong client care skills.
Elline is a delightful to work with and super reliable; you know she'll do a perfect job.
She advises on spinal injury claims.
Jodi Newton acts for clients on claims arising from negligent obstetric care, sepsis and delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Jodi is passionate and balances that with the ability to see the right way to run a case from her first involvement.
Jodi is very knowledgeable, gets outstanding results for her clients, and is always available when assistance is required.
Jodi is an absolute star.
Hugh has particular strength handling issues of causation and informed consent.
Hugh Johnson advises on claims regarding failures to diagnose and manage spinal injuries, as well as failings in psychiatric care.
He thinks outside the box and is always thinking a step ahead of his opponent.
Hugh is utterly charming, highly empathetic and a first rate lawyer. He always comes in with good observations.
Osbornes Law offers experience in obstetric and fatal claims as well as niche cauda equina cases.
The team has particular expertise in cases stemming from delays in diagnosis as well as surgical injury and wrongful birth claims.
Osbornes Law is an established firm which handles a breadth of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters.
They are a very tight team. They're very friendly, helpful and obtain excellent results for clients.
A quality firm of solicitors with excellence at all levels of the team.
They know the law inside out and proactively work with counsel to drive cases forward. They are a go-to for complex claims.
Ben Posford, head of catastrophic injury, is well-known for spinal cord and cauda equina claims, including high-profile fatality work.
Josie Robinson brings 20 years of experience to the team, with specialist insight into pelvic mesh claims and maternal death cases.
Elline Demetriou supports the team on catastrophic injury cases and has a growing caseload in maternity and care home negligence.
Elline Demetriou is an up and coming associate. She is thorough and empathetic, with great client care skills.
Nicholas Leahy leads the firm’s inquests work and has developed a specialism in stillbirth and surgical fatality claims.
Nicholas Leahy is a very impressive associate. He is sharp and gets to the crux of the case quickly.
Jodi Newton is a fierce advocate for her clients and a very genuine person. She cares about each case.
Jodi Newton is fantastic. She's detail orientated and a really capable head of birth and paediatric negligence. She's a joy to work with.
Jodi Newton is particularly noted for her work on cerebral palsy and maternal injury claims.
Osbornes handles a wide range of high-value and complex clinical negligence cases, with particular expertise in birth injury, delayed cancer diagnosis, spinal injury, and fatal claims.
I am always happy to get instructions from Osbornes. They have excellent quality work, the team knows exactly what they are doing and are a real pleasure to work with. Excellent legal knowledge.
The team has excellent leadership and provide an above and beyond service for their clients.
A close knit team with excellent knowledge and technical acumen across the board.
You get a real sense that they care about clients and each other, working together to get the best results.
The team works very well together as they are genuinely kind and friendly people.
Hugh's technical knowledge is superb.
He is excellent with very complex cases and their nuances.
I am very confident with Hugh representing me and always value his expertise and advice. He's always many steps ahead.
He is a master tactician and so on the ball; not a single thing goes under his radar. He really understands the medical side and is always thinking about how to achieve the best outcome for clients.
Hugh Johnson is fiendishly intelligent, with a laser sharp focus on the issues that matter.
Josie Robinson- very experienced, caring and professional. Excellent.
Elline Demetriou is one to watch for the future. She is determined and thoughtful, with a real dedication to her clients.
She is very tough, a real fighter, and drives a hard bargain for her clients. She has good judgment, and a good sense of the strengths and weaknesses of a case.
Jodi Newton is a passionate, hard-working and committed partner. She is excellent with clients, and gives absolutely 100% to all of her cases.
Nicholas Leahy - understands client needs very well, very responsive and proactive.
Jodi is very experienced and knowledgeable
It is a pleasure to work with Jodi. She has an excellent understanding of the issues and provides a good service.
Osbornes are always professional and diligent in respect of their clients.
Osbornes has an excellent depth of experience across the team.
Across the board, they are all a pleasure to work with. They always keep a pragmatic head and all have an eye on the best outcome for the client.
Jodi Newton - very hands on, gives every case her heart and soul
Jodi Newton is rapidly becoming the go-to partner for cerebral palsy cases. She has the determination to fight for her clients and is involved in some of the biggest cases at the moment.
Nicholas Leahy is a very safe pair of hands and really compassionate with clients. I expect great things from him in future.
Small but very effective and experienced team so every client benefits from the personal touch but also highly skilled litigation know-how. Capability of the team means they can handle all aspects of very complex cases as well as straightforward matters.
Ben Posford typically operates in the team’s spinal cord and cauda equina syndrome litigation.
Jodi Newton holds over 20 years of experience in birth and surgical injury cases, including those pertaining to cerebral palsy, negligent treatment of sepsis, and negligent A&E treatment.
The team frequently represents claimants in complex cognitive and spinal injury disputes, involving hypertensions, spinal fractures, as well as inadequate treatment of heart and blood diseases.
The team handles a host of complex maternal claims, including cognitive injuries as a result of delayed birth treatments, cerebral palsy, and vaginal mesh litigation.
Josie Robinson is fantastic with clients, very commercial and hugely experienced. Opponents respect her and she gets great results.
Osbornes is a very respected firm in the marketplace.
They handle really complex cases very well
The clinical negligence team are knowledgeable and professional in their approach and demonstrate a high level of skill in litigation work.
Osbornes Law offers experience in obstetric and fatal claims as well as niche cauda equina cases.
Osbornes Law is an established firm which handles a breadth of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters.
Jodi is really tenacious; she demands the best results and manages to secure them. She's got real drive and energy.
Jodi is passionate about what she does and is a good lawyer.
Jodi is very astute and compassionate.
Jodi Newton is passionate about her work and is a really creative lawyer, always trying to find practical and innovative solutions to problems encountered.
Jodi Newton is knowledgeable and well regarded.
Jodi Newton has specific expertise regarding birth negligence cases, including those which involve cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy injuries.
Osbornes has a skilled team of solicitors advising clients on a wide range of clinical negligence matters.
Hard working, approachable, good knowledge of clinical negligence and clients’ specific conditions
A joy to work with and always 100% client focused at all times.
The clinical negligence team at Osbornes is much lauded for its ability to ‘represent the diverse range of London-based clients
“The team is very quick and efficient in responding."
"Obsbornes Law is always client-focused and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcomes for clients."
Ben Posford leads the catastrophic injury team and regularly represents claimants in neurological injury and fatal accident claims. He also has a niche specialism in claims involving cauda equina syndrome.
Jodi Newton acts for clients on claims arising from negligent obstetric care, sepsis and delays in diagnosis and treatment. She also advises on spinal injury claims.
"She is really wonderful in sensitively handling clients in extreme situations and is a real fighter."
"Jodi Newton is approachable and always has the client's best interest at heart."
‘They are ambitious for their clients and expect high standards from all who work with them.’
"Osbornes somehow combine the accessibility of a local firm, with the professional standards of a national or city outfit."
"I’ve been hugely impressed by Jodi Newton – she’s truly passionate about her cases and her clients, a real fighter and a star in the making."
"Jodi Newton has carved out a niche specialism in cerebral palsy and serious claims arising out of childbirth. She is so committed to her clients and their claims that she always gains and deserves their respect. A true specialist."
"Osbornes, is described as having ‘superb judgement and a medical knowledge that is second to none."
"Ben Posford’s particular expertise in this area focuses upon cauda equina claims, of which he is an undisputed powerhouse."
"Jodi Newton is a tenacious and intelligent fee earner. She fights tooth and nail for her clients and gains their trust and respect from the outset."
"Nicholas Leahy works extremely hard and understands the commercial sensitivities of clinical negligence litigation."
"Her persistence, perspicacity, determination and efficiency are simply outstanding, as are her legal, analytical and negotiating skills."
They are an excellent firm who achieve fantastic outcomes for their clients. They are also very prominent in injuries to those travelling to or from Europe. Multiple languages are spoken by the team.
This firm is responsive and efficient. Their rapidity in dealing with complications or hiccups is excellent.
Jodi Newton is brilliant – a very capable, experienced and empathetic solicitor who has experience of handling high value and complicated cases. I am working with her on a cerebral palsy case at the moment, in which she has obtained an admission of liability and a substantial interim payment. A first class addition to the team.
Really great clinical negligence practice, staffed by experienced practitioners who know how NHS Trusts work. They also build great rapport with clients.’
The team at Osbornes was recently strengthened by the arrival of 'experienced and empathetic' associate Jodi Newton. She joins a department noted for its expertise in delayed diagnosis and wrongful birth claims.
A stand-out solicitor with a huge track record of successful clinical negligence work. She is forensic in her attention to detail, but also sees the broad sweep of strategic considerations”.
Excellent service from Osbornes throughout on a difficult clinical negligence claim. Nicholas Leahy who handled the claim was responsive and professional throughout, while also providing pragmatic advice and clear drafting.
Working with Osbornes Law was the best decision I could have made. Nick was really attentive to my issue and did a very thorough job. He truly made the process headache free! Highly recommend them.
Nick Leahy has been my Solicitor throughout this journey and has been absolutely amazing; kind, approachable and extremely supportive... Through some dogged determination by Nick we achieved our goal without having to go to trial. I cannot thank Nick, Stephanie and all of the team at Osbornes highly enough for achieving a very favourable settlement, the outcome of which will make a huge difference to myself and my family.
“The stand-out solicitor is Jodi Newton, who has a huge track record of successful clinical negligence work. She is forensic in her attention to detail, but also sees the broad sweep of strategic considerations”.
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
Osbornes provides a very intimate and personal client service which is increasingly rare in this sector.
The lawyers in the team are highly experienced and will drive cases very hard on behalf of their clients.
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"Offers specialist expertise in cauda equina syndrome cases."
"Osbornes often handles claims valued at over £1m, particularly relating to severe brain and spinal cord injuries and niche areas such as cauda equina syndrome and cycling accidents."
"The team were extremely professional in putting my needs first. There was a joined-up approach to catering for the client, and all lawyers involved were briefed and constructive."
Quite simply excellent, with a highly competent and well-rounded team. They understand complex medical litigation and have been our lifesavers, and we will always owe them our immense gratitude.
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Medical Negligence Accreditations
Our Medical Negligence Team View the whole team
Hugh Johnson
Partner
Medical NegligenceJodi Newton
Partner
Medical NegligenceVictoria Ayton
Paralegal
Medical NegligenceElline Demetriou
Associate
Medical NegligenceHannah Emerson
Solicitor
Medical NegligenceStephanie Evanson
Trainee Solicitor
Medical NegligenceBelen Junqueira
Paralegal
Medical NegligenceNicholas Leahy
Senior Associate
Medical NegligenceAndreea Martin
Paralegal
Medical NegligenceImogen Molloy
Paralegal
Medical NegligenceShivam Raja
Solicitor
Medical NegligenceJosie Robinson
Senior Associate
Medical NegligenceView the
whole team
