Ovarian Cancer Claims

Expert ovarian cancer negligence solicitors

Our expert medical negligence solicitors have a long history of securing compensation for patients in ovarian cancer misdiagnosis claims. Some of the reasons you may be able to make a claim include situations where a medical professional has failed to:

• Take your symptoms seriously
• Examine your abdominal area
• Identify the risk factors for ovarian cancer
• Refer you to a specialist
• Conduct appropriate blood tests, X-rays, CT scans or laparoscopy
• Carry out a scan or biopsy properly
• Interpret test results accurately
• Start treatment in a timely manner

Contact us to find out how we can help you make an ovarian cancer misdiagnosis claim.

If you have lost a loved one because of ovarian cancer misdiagnosis, we can also help you get compensation and prevent another family from going through the same pain.

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can vary but may include the following:

• Changes in menstrual patterns
• Unexpected vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Pelvic or lower abdominal pain and discomfort
• Bloating or a persistent feeling of fullness in the abdomen
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight changes
• Digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, constipation or increased need to urinate
• Back pain, fatigue and feeling generally unwell

Many of these symptoms can feel vague and non-specific. They often overlap with the symptoms of other conditions like appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome or changes related to menopause and perimenopause. It’s not uncommon for early-stage ovarian cancer to be mistaken for another condition, which can unfortunately delay treatment.

What are the consequences of misdiagnosing ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is sadly very common. It is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women in the UK although, thankfully, mortality rates are coming down.

There are different types of ovarian cancer, but the most common is called epithelial ovarian cancer. It originates in the epithelial cells that form the outer layer of the ovaries or the lining of the fallopian tubes

Doctors classify ovarian cancer into four stages to help them decide the best treatment plan.

• Stage 1: The cancer is only in one or both ovaries.
• Stage 2: The cancer has spread to the pelvic area.
• Stage 3: The cancer has spread to the abdomen, bowel or lymph nodes.
• Stage 4: The cancer has spread to distant areas such as the lungs or liver.

Most women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are over 45 years old. Genetics are a risk factor, and having a family history of ovarian or breast cancer may increase the chances of developing ovarian cancer.

If ovarian cancer is caught in the early stages, most women have a good chance of recovery. Unfortunately, the five-year survival rate drops to 30% for stage 3/4 diagnoses, due to metastasis. You may need more invasive surgery or higher-dose chemotherapy than if you’d been diagnosed sooner. The use of aggressive treatments can increase complications like neuropathy, urinary dysfunction and permanent organ damage.

Delays in diagnosing ovarian cancer happen for various reasons. However, if a delay was caused by medical negligence and the cancer grew worse as a result, you may be able to seek compensation.

Can I make an ovarian cancer misdiagnosis claim?

Medical professionals have a duty to diagnose your condition quickly and provide the right treatment. If they fail to do this, the cancer might go unnoticed and spread, making it more difficult to treat. In some cases, this could lead to the cancer becoming life-threatening.

Cancer misdiagnosis claims are complex, and we can advise whether you have a case. You could make a claim for compensation if the medical professional:

• Owed you a duty of care, which almost always will be the case, and
• They breached that duty of care by failing to follow accepted medical practice, and
• Their negligence caused you harm, such as a worsening of your condition or lower life expectancy

Who do I claim against?

We bring legal action against the specific healthcare provider or institution responsible for the negligence. In most cases, that will be the NHS.

Claiming against the NHS can be a daunting process, and it is important to have experienced legal representation to guide you through the process. Visit our claims against the NHS page for more information.

Can I make a no win, no fee ovarian cancer claim?

We handle most cancer misdiagnosis claims using a no win no fee agreement. This means you only pay our legal fees if we win compensation for you. The other side will pay most of the legal costs, with the rest coming out of your compensation.

To make a no win, no fee claim, you may need to enter into an insurance policy that protects you and covers any fees if you lose the case. We will discuss the details of this policy with you and ensure before proceeding with your claim.

Find out about making a no win, no fee claim.

How much compensation can I get for an ovarian cancer claim?

Each ovarian cancer misdiagnosis case is different, and so is the amount of compensation you may receive. We can give you a rough idea of the amount you could claim for once we have learned a little more about your specific case.

Once we have gathered all the evidence and understand the severity of your misdiagnosis, we can calculate a fair amount of compensation. Generally, this will take into account:

• Your prognosis and future health implications
• The treatment you may need
• Loss of earnings and future loss of earnings if you are unable to return to work
• Private medical expenses
• Travel expenses
• Care and support needs
• Your pain and suffering, including emotional distress.

Can I claim on behalf of a deceased loved one?

Losing a loved one to ovarian cancer is a truly awful experience. It can be made even more difficult in the event that there was a delay in diagnosis or treatment that contributed to their death. In such cases, you may have the right to make a legal claim on their behalf.

Claims can be brought on behalf of your loved one’s estate and for the benefit of their immediate family and dependents, usually spouses, civil partners and children of the deceased. The aim of these claims is to provide compensation for the losses suffered by the deceased prior to death and by the family after death. Making a claim can also hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Compensation in a fatal claim can cover various types of damages, including the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before their death, loss of income and financial losses, such as funeral expenses and medical bills. It may also include a statutory bereavement award for specified close family members to acknowledge their emotional suffering.

Find out about making a fatal medical negligence claim.

Why choose Osbornes Law?

Our top-rated medical negligence team is one of the most experienced in the country. We have 50 years of experience in successfully winning compensation in cancer misdiagnosis claims. Our lawyers are accredited by Action against Medical Accidents and the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence panel, which means you will receive the highest quality legal advice.

Our legal expertise is only the beginning, however. Our solicitors work with charities and support groups to ensure that you receive the best possible care throughout your healing journey. We can often help you obtain interim payments to allow you to access different treatments and therapies to aid your recovery.

As well as pursuing financial compensation, we can also help you hold the right people to account. Of course, this cannot undo what has happened, but it can stop the same mistakes happening to somebody else.

Contact us today to discuss your circumstances. Your consultation is free, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

• Fill in our online enquiry form; or
• Call us on 020 7485 8811