Liability admitted after missed bladder tumour led to delayed diagnosis

In December 2024, Toby was diagnosed with a metastasised stage 4 multifocal bladder cancer. During this diagnosis, he was informed that the tumour had been visible as a small, single tumour on a scan taken more than two years earlier, in September 2022. At the time, the tumour was not reported, and he was discharged with no follow‑up or further investigation.

Had the tumour been correctly identified in 2022, Toby would likely have been eligible for treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. But by the time his cancer was diagnosed, it had progressed too far, and his health had deteriorated to the point where these options were no longer viable. This resulted in an extreme decline and a shortened life expectancy.

In January 2025, Toby received a Duty of Candour letter, acknowledging the missed tumour and offering an apology. This prompted him to contact Irwin Mitchell to explore a medical negligence claim.

Within one year of Toby instructing Irwin Mitchell, The Trust issued a full admission of liability in its letter of response. This outcome was achieved without the need for court proceedings, offering a much-needed timely resolution for our client.

We are now in the process of negotiating a settlement to ensure Toby receives compensation for the harm caused by the delayed diagnosis.

The compensation will help him access the support he needs following the progression of his cancer and the significant impact on his quality of life and life expectancy.