Pancreatic Cancer Claims

Expert pancreatic cancer negligence solicitors

If you or someone in your family was not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer correctly, you might be able to claim money for the harm and suffering this has caused. Our medical negligence lawyers are highly experienced in supporting patients and their loved ones sensitively and successfully.

Pancreatic cancer is the tenth most common cancer in the UK, but the fifth most common cause of cancer death, according to data from Cancer Research UK.

The disproportionately high mortality rate is due to several factors. The main reason is that pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, stage three or four, when the cancer has already spread. Surgery is generally only possible when the cancer is detected early, so late diagnosis means that fewer curative treatments are possible.

If your pancreatic cancer symptoms were diagnosed only after multiple visits to a GP, or were diagnosed as another illness, you can contact our cancer misdiagnosis lawyers for a free consultation.

You can also claim on behalf of a loved one who died from pancreatic cancer that was not diagnosed in time, or does not have the mental capacity to make a claim themselves.

What are the signs of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is challenging to detect early because symptoms are often vague, non-specific or absent in the initial stages. When symptoms do occur, they may overlap with many other, less serious conditions.

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Persistent back, pelvic or abdominal pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Digestive changes (indigestion, bloating, nausea, vomiting or changes in bowel movements)
• Itching in several areas of the body
• Feeling unusually tired or weak
• Loss of appetite
• Recent onset diabetes

If you notice anything unusual about your health, it’s important to see a doctor right away, and be persistent. Research reported by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) found that 40% of pancreatic cancer patients visited their doctor three or more times before a diagnosis was made.

What happens if pancreatic cancer is misdiagnosed?

Pancreatic cancer grows and spreads quickly, which is why early diagnosis is so important. The earlier you know, the earlier you can start treatment.

However, sometimes medical professionals will:

• Not take your symptoms seriously
• Fail to recognise your symptoms as pancreatic cancer
• Mistake your symptoms for another condition
• Fail to refer you to a specialist within recommended time frames
• Neglect to order the right tests (e.g. blood tests, ultrasound, CT / MRI / PET scan, tissue sampling)
• Record, read or interpret tests results incorrectly

Failures like these can have life-changing consequences. Any delay in diagnosis can result in the pancreatic cancer spreading to an advanced, often untreatable stage. This significantly reduces the chances of survival and may result in more severe symptoms, invasive treatments, and poorer quality of life.

Who is at fault for a missed pancreatic cancer diagnosis?

Responsibility for the prompt diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer lies with medical professionals, including GPs, consultants, radiographers and hospital staff. If the medical professional fails to provide the expected standard of care, and their actions directly lead to harm, they may be held legally responsible for the misdiagnosis.

Compensation is usually sought from the employing organisation (such as the NHS Trust or private hospital) rather than from individual medical professionals personally.

How do I make a claim for pancreatic cancer?

If you feel that your situation may qualify as cancer negligence, it’s important to speak to a specialist lawyer as soon as possible. Our award-winning medical negligence solicitors are specialists in handling complex claims and have a proven record of securing substantial compensation for cancer patients.

To make your claim for pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis, we will help you gather evidence such as medical records, diagnosis letters, test results, prescriptions and treatment plans. These records provide objective, contemporaneous evidence of your symptoms, the care you received, and whether there were any failures to investigate, refer or act appropriately, all of which are central to proving a misdiagnosis claim.

Independent medical evidence is a key part of every pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis claim. We will ask one or more pancreatic cancer specialists to give an impartial opinion on whether the care you received was negligent, supporting your claim for compensation.

How much can I claim for pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis?

There is no fixed amount you can get for a pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis claim in England and Wales. The amount depends on things like:

• How serious your illness is
• How long it took to get the right diagnosis
• How far the cancer had spread when it was finally found
• How your health and life have been affected
• Your age when you were diagnosed
• Money you lost, like wages or costs for care

We can give you an idea of what you might get based on other cases if you contact us for a free assessment. The final, fair amount will be decided based on your own situation.

How long does it take to resolve a pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis claim?

Cancer misdiagnosis claims typically take 12 to 18 months to resolve for straightforward cases, but more complex claims can take up to several years, depending on the circumstances of the misdiagnosis, the availability of evidence, and whether liability is admitted early.

Rest assured, our lawyers will keep you updated every step of the way and will work efficiently to resolve your case as soon as possible. We endeavour to settle pancreatic cancer claims out of court, but are prepared to fight your corner in court if necessary.

The important thing is to get in touch. You typically have three years to make a pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis claim, starting from either the date of the negligence or the date you first became aware of the misdiagnosis. It is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.

Who can claim compensation for pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis?

Osbornes Law offers expert advice to patients who have suffered any type of pancreatic cancer injustice. We also help the family and dependents of someone who has passed away from pancreatic cancer due to medical staff failures. Please see our dedicated page on fatal medical negligence claims.

We are always here to listen and support potential clients, and there is no obligation to work with us. If you are uncertain about pursuing a claim, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

How Osbornes Law can help

If your pancreatic cancer was diagnosed late or misdiagnosed, our clinical negligence solicitors are here to support you. We have decades of experience securing life-altering settlements for clients who have been affected by cancer misdiagnosis, including pancreatic cancer. We are:

• Ranked as a leading clinical negligence firm by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK
• Featured in The Times Best Law Firms list
• An experienced team with clinically-qualified lawyers who understand your needs
• Compassionate and client-focused—your wellbeing is our priority
• No win, no fee solicitors, so you don’t have to worry about legal fees

There is no cap on the amount of compensation you might receive, so we will always aim to achieve the maximum possible settlement for you. 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