Compensation awarded for breast cancer medical negligence compensation claim

44 year old June had a family history of breast cancer. However, despite this and two visits to the surgery, she was was told by her GP that she was suffering only from a benign cyst. A referral for investigation was not made. 14 months later, a hospital consultant whom June was seeing for an unrelated matter referred her to the breast clinic.

Breast cancer was identified which was treated by lumpectomy, axillary node clearance, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

The medical negligence compensation claim was defended with the defendant arguing that the presenting symptoms did not warrant the GP making a referral to the breast clinic.

The experts agreed that the delay in diagnosis had not affected June’s long term prognosis. However, they disagreed as to whether earlier diagnosis would have allowed her to avoid chemotherapy.

Medical Specialists Consulted:

GP
Surgical Oncologist

Legal Time Frame - 2 years

Compensation received for medical claim - compensation for the negligence claim was agreed at £14,000 to reflect the side effects of the chemotherapy. June was also helped by knowing that in the experts view the delay had not affected her long term prognosis.

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