Natalie Jones, a specialist solicitor in Irwin Mitchell Bristol’s clinical negligence team, acted for a woman from Worcestershire after she suffered a delay in her diagnosis of cervical cancer. This was despite numerous trips to her GP and clinicians failing to report correctly on the results of a smear test.
Our client, Samantha, had always attended her GP for regular smear tests, which historically produced normal results. On 28 September 2009 she attended the GP for another smear test, but unlike other tests she started to bleed very heavily. This test was reported as negative and Samantha was to attend for another routine call in three years. In fact, the smear showed various abnormal/cancerous cells which should have required an urgent referral for a colposcopy with a suspicion of cancer.
She continued to suffer and was told the cause was hormonal as the doctors relied on the recent negative smear result. It was not until November 2010 that she was referred to hospital for a colposcopy and biopsy, and she was diagnosed with Stage 2B cervical cancer. This was over a year since the smear test had been carried out.
Samantha then had to undergo chemo-radiotherapy, brachytherapy (invasive, internal radiotherapy) and her survival rates were also decreased by the delay. Such invasive and extensive treatment would not have been required with prompt diagnosis.
Thankfully, Samantha has responded well to treatment and her prognosis is good. Natalie helped Samantha to secure compensation of £70,000 for her pain and suffering during treatment, the residual problems she may suffer as a result and to compensate her for loss of earnings and the care she required whilst in treatment and recovery.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a delayed or misdiagnosed medical condition, our medical negligence solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Medical Misdiagnosis Claims page for more information.
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