Misdiagnosed leukaemia claims

What is misdiagnosed leukaemia?

Misdiagnosed leukaemia occurs when a medical professional wrongly diagnoses or fails entirely to identify leukaemia. Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer affecting the body's white blood cells, significantly compromising the immune system and other vital organs. An incorrect or delayed diagnosis might mean a patient receives incorrect treatment or no treatment at all, resulting in illness progression, increased suffering and, in severe cases, a reduced chance of survival.

Common reasons for leukaemia to be misdiagnosed including:

• Symptoms mistaken for less severe conditions
• Failure to order appropriate tests or scans
• Incorrect interpretation of test results
• Administrative mix-ups in patient records or communication breakdowns

If you or your loved one experienced undue harm because of medical negligence involving misdiagnosed leukaemia, Stephensons can assist you in holding the responsible parties accountable.

Can you claim compensation for misdiagnosed leukaemia?

Yes, if you or a family member suffered harm due to misdiagnosed leukaemia, you may be eligible for compensation. To pursue a claim succesfully, it must be demonstrated that:-

• Breach of Duty - The healthcare professional or institution acted negligently by failing to conduct appropriate investigations, tests, or referrals.
• Causation - It must also be proven that this negligence directly contributed to your suffering or worsened your medical outcome

Compensation in misdiagnosed leukaemia claims can vary considerably based on injury severity, the impact of negligence on your health and finances, and other individual circumstances. Compensation typically falls into two categories:

• General Damages - Compensation awarded for your physical and psychological pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. This is assessed based on the extent, seriousness, and duration of your injuries or illness caused by negligence.
• Special Damages - These damages comprise compensation for financial losses incurred in the past and/or future due to negligence, including loss of earnings, medical expenses, travel costs, gratuitous care requirements, rehabilitation expenses, home adaptations, and any other related financial losses.

Our solicitors will assess your situation in detail and advise you realistically about the potential amount.

Why choose us for your misdiagnosed leukaemia claim?

At Stephensons, we have a longstanding reputation for successfully helping clients achieve justice in complex medical negligence claims. Reasons clients choose us include:

• Our specialist solicitors' extensive knowledge in medical negligence law and significant experience dealing with complex leukaemia misdiagnosis cases
• Accreditations with respected bodies such as The Law Society's Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme and Lexcel accreditation, demonstrating consistently high standards of practice and client care
• A compassionate and personalised approach; we listen carefully to your story, tailor our advice and support specifically to your circumstances, and keep you fully informed at every stage
• Access to an extensive network of respected medical experts who can provide authoritative opinions and testimony to support your case
• A proven track record of securing compensation for our clients, helping them rebuild their lives following misdiagnosis and negligence

How we can help

Our experienced and dedicated team at Stephensons will guide you through every step of the claims process, providing clear, practical advice tailored to your individual needs. Once you reach out to us, we will:

• Offer a confidential, initial consultation to discuss your experience and assess the strength of your claim
• Handle every aspect of your claim, from collecting and reviewing medical records to preparing evidence and negotiating a fair settlement
• Facilitate specialist medical assessments to build a robust claim
• Represent your best interests, taking the burden off your shoulders during this difficult time
• Work tirelessly to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to

Contact Stephensons today

If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of misdiagnosed leukaemia, our medical negligence solicitors are here to support you. To speak in confidence about your situation, please call us on 0161 696 6165 or complete our enquiry form, and one of our specialists will call you back promptly.

Frequently asked questions - misdiagnosed leukaemia claims

How long do I have to make a misdiagnosed leukaemia claim?

In line with standard medical negligence claims, according to the Limitation Act 1980, the general time limit for making a compensation claim related to misdiagnosed leukaemia in the UK is three years from the date of negligence occurrence or three years from the date you became aware of negligence causing harm (often known as the "date of knowledge"). However, exceptions do exist in specific circumstances, including:

• If the claimant is under the age of 18, the three-year limitation period begins on their 18th birthday, expiring at age 21.
• If the claimant lacks mental capacity, the time limitation may potentially be extended indefinitely until the claimant regains capacity.
• If the alleged defendant agrees to a limitation extension, and/or the Court approves an extension in specific circumstances at its own discretion.

Although three years may seem sufficient, we strongly recommend contacting Stephensons as early as possible after the negligence event occurs. Prompt legal action allows our solicitors maximum opportunity for evidence collection, expert advice, and achieving successful outcomes.

Will I have to go to court to obtain compensation?

Most medical negligence claims are settled out of court. However, if your case needs to be taken further to ensure fair compensation, our solicitors will work with you and support you comprehensively throughout any court action.

Can I claim compensation on behalf of a family member who died due to misdiagnosed leukaemia?

Yes, if your loved one’s death resulted from misdiagnosed leukaemia, you may pursue a claim for compensation on their behalf. This can include statutory bereavement damages (under Fatal Accidents Act 1976), funeral costs, loss of financial support, and acknowledge the emotional impact of your loss.