Bowel Cancer Claims

Claim Compensation for Bowel Cancer Negligence

Bowel cancer survival rates have more than doubled in the last 40 years, mostly due to early diagnosis which drastically improves outcomes. When caught at Stage 1, over 95% of patients will survive beyond 5 years.

Survival rates drop sharply with later-stage detection. Any delay in diagnosing or treating bowel cancer may mean that more invasive treatments are required, which can cause long-term bowel dysfunction. In some circumstances, it can mean that the cancer is unable to be cured.

At Osbornes Law, we understand how overwhelming a bowel cancer diagnosis can be, especially if your doctor missed key warning signs. Our cancer misdiagnosis solicitors are experienced at representing bowel cancer patients and their families. We can help ensure the best possible quality of life for you going forward by securing the funds you need to pay for medical care, therapy, lost income and other expenses.

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer symptoms are often subtle and can resemble other conditions like IBS, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. However, some important symptoms to watch for include:

• A persistent change in bowel habits
• Persistent iron deficiency anaemia
• Blood in your stool without any accompanying pain or discomfort
• Abdominal bloating, pain or discomfort after eating
• Unexplained or unintentional weight loss
• Ongoing stomach swelling along with vomiting
• Severe and intermittent abdominal pain

People over the age of 60, and those who smoke, drink, eat a low-fibre diet, or have a history of digestive conditions are at an increased risk and should be especially vigilant in talking to their healthcare provider.

Since early detection is crucial in improving chances of survival from bowel cancer, the NHS has put in place a national screening program open to residents of England aged 50 to 74 years. Individuals in this age group are automatically provided with an at-home screening kit every two years. It is vital for those who receive the test to complete and return it promptly, as this helps detect warning signs at an early stage.

Examples of bowel cancer negligence

When you go to your doctor with symptoms of bowel cancer, they should examine you and arrange further tests, particularly if you are at a higher risk. These may include blood tests, stool tests, imaging scans or a sigmoidoscopy/ colonoscopy to check for the markers of bowel cancer and rule out other conditions.

Bowel cancer negligence can include:

• Late diagnosis from not recognising the symptoms of bowel cancer
• Not referring the patient to a specialist
• Failing to conduct the right diagnostic tests
• Misdiagnosing bowel cancer as a different condition
• Misinterpreting test results
• Not acting on test results
• Providing an incorrect treatment plan
• Delays in starting treatment

Is it hard to prove bowel cancer negligence?

Proving bowel negligence can sometimes be a complex task. We have to show, firstly, that your medical provider did not deliver the standard of care expected from a reasonably competent doctor and, secondly, the negligence led to a worse outcome.

We often have to compare the cancer’s actual progression with its hypothetical growth rate to show how a timely diagnosis would have allowed for different treatments and outcomes. We need a lot of specialist medical evidence to support your claim.

Our solicitors have the experience to prove bowel cancer misdiagnosis. We work with the best medical experts who will review your medical records and give evidence to show that you were not treated correctly.

What compensation am I entitled to?

If you’ve been affected by a delayed or incorrect diagnosis of bowel cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for how it has impacted your life. The amount of compensation can vary depending on your individual circumstances.

The first part of compensation is called general damages. This is awarded to cover pain, suffering and the effect the medical negligence has had on your quality of life, for example, dealing with a colostomy bag or long-term digestive strictures. To calculate general damages, factors such as changes to your life expectancy, the time it will take you to recover, and the psychological pain caused by the misdiagnosis are taken into account.

The second part of compensation is called special damages. This covers expenses like lost earnings, medical costs, care and support you’ve needed or will continue to need in the future, and rehabilitation expenses.

Our expert medical negligence solicitors offer free consultations to all bowel cancer patients and their families. We can help you understand what kind of settlement you might be entitled to, without any obligation to work with us.

How do I make a bowel cancer claim?

The first step is to seek legal advice as soon as you can. We will establish whether negligence has occurred, and start gathering the necessary evidence to support your claim.

In most cases, you have three years to make a claim. The time starts when the negligence happened, or you first realised that you suffered harm because of medical negligence. This date can be tricky to determine. It is best to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your case is filed within the time limit.

The NHS operates a complaints process which allows patients to raise concerns about their care. While you do not need to exhaust this process before pursuing a bowel cancer claim, it is often advisable to do so. The complaints process can provide valuable information about what happened. It may also highlight systemic failures that can strengthen your case, and hopefully lead to better care for future patients.

As top-rated medical negligence solicitors and bowel cancer specialists, we can advise on the best course of action to take when pursuing a claim.

Why choose Osbornes Law?

Our highly regarded team of medical negligence solicitors has been securing compensation for our clients in bowel cancer negligence claims for decades. We have the knowledge and experience to secure every penny you deserve. You won’t be left to struggle if your health has suffered due to the negligence of the NHS or a private medical provider.

The process starts with a free initial consultation.We will review your case to see if your care didn’t meet the standards you should expect. If it didn’t, we will bring in the best medical specialists to fight for you. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis for most bowel cancer claims so there’s no financial risk to you in making a claim.

Get in touch to learn how our team can help you. You’ll find that your case is in safe hands.

To speak with one of our cancer compensation solicitors, contact us by:

• Filling in our online enquiry form; or
• Calling us on 020 7485 8811