Melanoma Skin Cancer Claims

Skin cancer negligence solicitors

According to Cancer Research UK:

• Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.
• Over 17,500 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year, with melanoma cases expected to rise to over 20,000 annually.
• 1 in 36 men and 1 in 47 women will be diagnosed with melanoma in their lifetime.
• The survival rate is very high. Almost 95% of people with melanoma survive at least five years after diagnosis, and 87% survive more than 10 years.

If detected, diagnosed and treated early, almost all skin cancers are treatable or curable. Localised surgery is the most common treatment, where doctors remove the cancer and some surrounding healthy skin.

Chemotherapy creams, freezing (cryotherapy), or photodynamic therapy (a special light treatment) may also be used for cancers in the top layer of skin.

These simple procedures are often enough to cure the cancer if it hasn’t spread, which is why early detection and treatment is so important.

What is a skin cancer misdiagnosis claim?

A skin cancer misdiagnosis claim can arise if a medical professional:

• Mistakes melanoma for a harmless skin condition
• Fails to refer you for further tests or specialist review
• Delays your diagnosis, allowing the cancer to grow or spread
• Misinterprets biopsy or test results

This is not a full list of things that can go wrong in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. Any medical error can lead to delays in starting treatment. Untreated melanoma can spread to other sites and organs, become difficult to treat, or even reduce your chances of survival.

Skin cancer misdiagnosis is a type of medical negligence claim. Medical negligence is when a doctor, dermatologist, oncologist, radiographer or other medical professional provides substandard care, and this makes your illness worse or causes additional suffering.

Making a claim may seem complicated, but our cancer misdiagnosis lawyers are here to make things straightforward for you. If you have any questions about claiming, please get in touch.

What might melanoma skin cancer be mistaken for?

The first signs of melanoma can often be seen on the skin, making it easier to detect in its early stages. Despite this, melanoma skin cancer can sometimes be confused with:

• Benign moles or freckles
• Age spots
• Skin infections or rashes
• Warts or harmless skin growths (seborrhoeic keratoses)

GPs and dermatologists are trained to examine moles, freckles and other areas of concern, and differentiate between harmless and cancerous growths. If a GP suspects melanoma, or is unsure, they must refer the patient for a full professional assessment, including biopsy to check if the tissue is cancerous. Failing to do so could be a sign of negligence.

How do I know if my care was negligent?

Legally, to make a claim for skin cancer misdiagnosis, you need to show two things:

1. The care you received was substandard.
   This means the medical professional did not do what other competent professionals would have done. For example, they might not have examined your skin properly, missed changes in a mole, or failed to send you for more tests when needed.

The law does not expect medical professionals to deliver “perfect” care, but it does expect a reasonable standard. This is determined by independent medical experts.

2. The substandard care caused you harm or made things worse.
   You must prove that the medical negligence made your cancer worse or caused harm or suffering. For example, needing more invasive treatment, suffering a disfigurement from skin grafts that should not have been needed, or having a worse prognosis could count as harm.

If you think your skin cancer was misdiagnosed, our specialist solicitors can help you collect evidence such as medical records, NHS / NICE protocols for melanoma treatment and witness statements. Our independent medical experts will look over the medical evidence to understand your injuries and what care you might need in the future. They will tell us if your treatment fell below the correct standard and give important evidence to help with your claim.

How much compensation is paid for melanoma skin cancer claims?

There is no set amount and each case is unique. When we work out how much compensation you should receive, we look at such things as:

• How serious your illness is
• How long it took to get the right diagnosis
• How far the cancer had spread when it was found
• How your health and life have been affected
• Your age at diagnosis
• Expenses you’ve incurred (like medical expenses and travel costs)
• Loss of earnings (now and in the future)
• Your future care needs.

We can give you an idea of what you might be entitled to when you contact us. Later on, we’ll use all the evidence and the independent medical reports to make sure you get the compensation settlement you deserve.

Who can claim for skin cancer misdiagnosis?

Anyone who has suffered due to a late or wrong diagnosis of melanoma, or negligent treatment, can make a claim.

If you have lost a loved one because their skin cancer was not diagnosed properly, you might also be able to make a claim. We can help you with making a fatal medical negligence claim if you are the dependent on the person who died, such as a spouse, child, long-term partner or parent.

Contact us to talk about your situation. We will let you know if you are eligible to make a claim in a free initial consultation.

If someone dies in unclear or unexpected circumstances, there may be an inquest to find out what happened. Our solicitors can support you during the inquest, explain the process, and make sure your views are listened to.

Are there time limits for skin cancer misdiagnosis claims?

There is a three-year time limit for all types of medical negligence claims. The time will run from the date the negligence occurred, or when you became aware that you may have received substandard care.

There are exceptions to this time limit for children and people who lack mental capacity. Please contact our solicitors to discuss your specific situation and find out if you are still within the time limit to make a claim.

Do I claim against the NHS for skin cancer misdiagnosis?

Yes, you can make a claim against the NHS for a skin cancer misdiagnosis if you suffered at the hands of an NHS medical professional.

We can make this claim separately to any other type of action. For example, you can make a complaint to the NHS or to a body like the General Medical Council, the independent organisation that regulates doctors in the UK. These bodies may conduct their own investigation, the findings of which may be used in a medical negligence claim.

If you received private treatment, you would usually sue the private hospital, clinic or individual responsible for your substandard care. Where several parties are involved, we will identify the correct party or parties to sue.

Why choose Osbornes for your skin cancer claim?

We have a team of lawyers who specialise in cancer misdiagnosis claims. Our medical negligence team is renowned for its expertise and has secured clients millions of pounds in compensation over the past few years, as well as gaining closure for families who have lost loved ones due to cancer.

We understand the financial concerns you may have following a skin cancer diagnosis. Our solicitors are experts in calculating a compensation amount that reflects your current and future care needs, as well as any loss of earnings or other financial losses caused by your misdiagnosis.

We handle most cancer misdiagnosis claims on a no win no fee basis. The benefit of making a no win, no fee claim is that you don’t have to worry about losing money if your case is not successful. You also don’t have to pay anything upfront. If you win your case, most of the costs will be paid by the other side and the rest will come from your compensation settlement.

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

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