Claiming Compensation for Sarcoma Medical Negligence
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month. A fairly rare form of cancer, a delay in recognition and diagnosis of sarcoma can cause a catastrophic patient outcome.
Diagnosis delays
Sarcomas are bone and soft tissue cancers which can often suffer from a delay in diagnosis. With early diagnosis, however, patients have a greater chance of survival and that their cancer will not have spread.
Key to a better outcome for patients is a willingness by medical professionals to make an urgent referral for further investigation when a patient presents with a soft tissue mass of greater than 4-5cm which may be increasing in size and causing pain. A failure to examine the patient may be regarded as substandard care.
Sarcomas often develop within a limb or somewhere in the trunk of the body but can occur elsewhere.
Sarcoma in the bone is more rare and may be indicated by deep pain in the bone.
A delay in referral or a misdiagnosis may be regarded as negligent. If the patient suffers a poor long-term outcome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Patients with a suspected diagnosis of soft-tissue sarcoma should be seen at a specialist clinic for further assessment within two weeks.
Testing for sarcoma
Further and urgent testing may be essential in order to conclusively determine tha cuase of the patient's symptoms. The patient may require a scan such as a CT scan or an x-ray. They may also require a biopsy to be taken to determine the nature of their lump.
A delay in carrying out these tests may cause a delay in necessary treatment and a worse patient outcome.
Claiming compensation
It is important to remember that compensation claims for medical negligence need to be initiated within three years of the date of the alleged negligence. Seeking legal advice earlier rather than later is advisable.
Medical negligence compensation claims are extremely complex and require the skills and expertise of a specialist solicitor who can call upon the knowledge and experience of the best medical experts.
Legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice. We have years of experience in a wide range of medical fields, including delays in the diagnosis of cancer.
Contact us today to talk to an experienced and expert lawyer, free of charge, about your situation and the suitability of making a claim for compensation.
Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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