If your GP has misdiagnosed your illness or medical condition, the consequences to your health can be severe and sometimes even life-changing due to the unnecessary suffering or pain – and you will likely be able to sue for medical negligence.
Doctors have a duty of care to their patients and if your health has been damaged because the medical care or treatment you have received has fallen short of what is deemed reasonable, then you have a right to claim for compensation.
What Is Medical Negligence?
You should expect to receive good care and attention from your doctor, and if a medical professional fails to examine or to investigate your symptoms correctly, that doctor has likely not fulfilled his or her duty of care and been negligent.
A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can lead to the wrong kind of treatment being given or the correct treatment being given too late, both of which can badly impact on a person’s health.
Grounds for making a medical negligence claim can include:
- Incorrect diagnosis of test results
- Incorrect treatment
- Delayed treatment
- No referral to the right specialist
- Delayed diagnosis
- Medication errors
How To Make A Misdiagnosis Claim?
To make a claim for medical negligence against your doctor, you need to provide proof that there was a failing in your diagnosis and that this failure caused your health to worsen.
You need to be able to prove:
- The doctor did not meet his or her duty of care to you
- The physical or mental injuries you have suffered would not have happened without the misdiagnosis
The law is complex and there are different types of claims you can make:
- Total misdiagnosis
- Wrongful misdiagnosis
- Late diagnosis
It can take between 3-4 years to settle a medical negligence claim in court but it is important you receive the compensation you deserve in order to overcome the injury or suffering caused by your misdiagnosis.
How Much Compensation Will You Receive?
Every misdiagnosis outcome varies, as does the compensation awarded for each case. The amount of compensation you will potentially receive will depend on a number of factors including your symptoms, the costs you’ve incurred, and whether any long-term treatments which would not otherwise have been required are needed.
As a guide, factors that influence how much compensation you may receive, include:
- The extent or severity of your injury
- Whether your illness has worsened
- If you underwent unnecessary surgery
- If any further treatment is needed
Your solicitor will be able to advise you of your potential compensation, depending on the details of your experience.
How We Can Help You With Your Misdiagnosis Claim
If your diagnosis has been delayed or you’ve had a misdiagnosis that has impacted on your health, then we will support you at every step of the process should you want to make a claim for compensation.
Our specialist solicitors will take the time to fully understand your experience and ensure you have the necessary proof to make a successful claim against your doctor. Your solicitor will assist you throughout the claims process to make it as straightforward and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on your recovery.
Health is so important and if your health has suffered due to misdiagnosis, it can be traumatic for you – which is why we will do everything possible to secure the compensation you deserve and that you need to recover fully.
To speak to one of our specialist solicitors about making a medical negligence claim, contact us on 01244 405 399 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk
