Filing error delays cancer diagnosis for year at Kent and Sussex Hospital

We pursued a cancer misdiagnosis compensation claim for Janet who was mistakenly told that the lumps in her breast were benign. This delayed her treatment by many months. Janet accepted £54,000 compensation for the delay in diagnosis.

In April 2004, 48 year old Janet went to her doctor as she had lumps in her right breast. She was referred to the Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells, where a scan and ultrasound of the breast were carried out.

Janet was told that the lumps were benign. However, it later emerged that the clinician who carried out the ultrasound had advised that the lumps required further investigation.

This recommendation was not seen by the breast cancer specialist who saw Janet because it was mistakenly filed in her notes.

Later the same year, Janet returned to her GP with pain and increased lump size. She was once more referred to the Kent and Sussex Hospital.

This time she had a mammogram and a biopsy, which sadly indicated that the lesions in her breast were cancerous. As a result, Janet underwent a mastectomy and 6 months chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy.

Paul McNeil was instructed by Janet and he alleged that there was an unnecessary delay in diagnosing breast cancer. He also alleged that the hospital wrongly advised Janet that her lumps were benign. The defendant admitted liability and paid Janet £54,000 damages, including the cost of her treatment on a private basis. The case was funded on a “no win no fee” basis. For further information or if you have a cancer diagnosis claim contact  Paul McNeil on 020 7861 4019 or email paul.mcneil@ffw.com You can discuss your cancer misdiagnosis  claim with any member of our medical negligence team on freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or complete our short enquiry form.