Cancer Negligence
Compensation Claims

If you have been affected by work-related cancer or cancer misdiagnosis, we can help.

If you or a loved one has developed cancer due to exposure to hazardous chemicals at work, or you have harmed as a result of cancer misdiagnosis, we can help you claim compensation.

When cancer develops due to environmental exposures or occupational hazards, you may be able to claim compensation for treatment costs, lost earnings, and personal suffering.

If you have suffered because of a missed cancer diagnosis, or delayed diagnosis, you can claim compensation for medical negligence.

You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

Key advice when making a cancer-related negligence claim

• You can claim if your cancer was caused by the negligence of another party, such as exposure to toxic chemicals at work.
• You can also claim if your cancer worsened or became harder to treat due to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis or inadequate treatment.
• You can start a claim within 3 years of identifying the cause of your illness, or from the date you learned you were the victim of negligence.
• The amount of compensation you can claim depends on the severity of your illness and any financial losses or expenses. Use our compensation calculator to find out how much you could receive.
• You can start a cancer negligence claim with no win, no fee.

You are not alone - Over 2 million cancer patients were admitted last year

Approximately 2,000,000 NHS patients were admitted in 2022-23 (digital.nhs.uk).

Awareness of cancer and its symptoms has improved enormously in recent years. High profile sufferers and media campaigns have helped to raise awareness of the importance of early screening for the condition as early as possible.

According to Cancer Research, the survival rate for cancer in the UK has doubled in the last 50 years.

If you decide to make a cancer claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

If you need information on cancer symptoms and treatment, visit: cancer (nhs.uk).

How much compensation can I claim for cancer-related medical negligence?

Compensation for cancer-related medical negligence is determined by:

• how significant your illness is,
• how your illness affects your everyday life and work,
• any financial losses or costs you have incurred due to your illness.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages will be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.

These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your illness such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Early diagnosis

If cancer is discovered early, it is much more likely that the patient will recover and continue to have a normal life expectancy. Cancer that has spread to other parts of the is much more difficult to treat, so early diagnosis can dramatically alter the potential prognosis for the sufferer.

Cancer Research states that:

• 79% of lung cancer cases are preventable
• 54% of bowel cancer cases are preventable
• 23%% of breast cancer cases are preventable

Detailed cancer statistics can be viewed at: cancerresearchuk.org

Late or delayed diagnosis

It's critical for GPs to refer patients with potential cancer symptoms to a specialist for testing, as some cancer symptoms can mimic other conditions, leading to misdiagnosis.

GPs must take all necessary precautions to protect your health, especially if there's any suspicion of cancer. Delays in cancer diagnosis can adversely affect prognosis and treatment options.

If an earlier diagnosis would have meant less invasive treatment or prevented the spread of a tumour, you might be eligible for compensation due to medical negligence.

Misdiagnosis

Cancer misdiagnosis can drastically affect your recovery, quality of life, and longevity. If abnormalities are found, doctors have a duty to conduct further investigations and tests. Failing to do so can lead to misdiagnosis. Upon conducting biopsies or tests for cancer, it's the doctor's duty to inform patients of the results and ensure timely, appropriate treatment.

Negligence in acting on test results or in the diagnosis process may render the doctor liable for a clinical negligence claim.

What factors affect the cancer claims process?

How you contracted cancer will impact the claim process. Click the icons below to explore further.

Work accidents Medical negligence Other accidents

Sources

Author:
Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor

About the author

Howard Willis qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years. He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is a recognised Law Society Personal Injury Panel expert.