Cervical Cancer Claims

What is a cervical cancer claim?

When it’s diagnosed early, 96% of people will survive cervical cancer for at least a year according to Cancer Research UK. But the survival rate drops to 50% when the disease is diagnosed in its latest stage.

Medical understanding of cervical cancer has increased significantly in the UK, and the level of organisation around regular smear tests and screenings has improved. But there are still cases where cervical cancer is not diagnosed early enough.

When a delayed or incorrect diagnosis is caused by the negligence of a medical professional, there may be grounds to make a cervical cancer claim. Your solicitor will need to prove that you were harmed as a result of the sub-standard care you received.

Examples of negligence that could cause an incorrect or delayed diagnosis include:

• Failing to carry out a full examination, which can result in tumours being missed
• Failing to interpret smear test results correctly
• Failing to refer you to a specialist after abnormal smear test results
• Ignoring common symptoms – signs of cervical cancer are sometimes put down to the menopause or heavy and irregular periods

You may also be able to make a claim if you received unnecessary treatment following a misdiagnosis of cervical cancer, such as a hysterectomy (the partial or full removal of the uterus).

To find out more about how we can help, get in touch with our compassionate and knowledgeable claims team. We’ll listen to what happened and let you know if you’re likely to have a strong claim.

Why should I make a cervical cancer claim?

If you’ve received a level of care that is below an acceptable standard, you have the right to seek compensation.

Cancer is a terrifying concept for most people and the psychological impact of a delayed or incorrect diagnosis can be extremely stressful.

Making a cervical cancer misdiagnosis claim can not only compensate you for the physical and emotional suffering you’ve experienced, it can also ease the financial pressures of any time away from work and subsequent loss of earnings.

If you’re not sure whether you have a claim, give our friendly team a call. We provide free no-obligation consultations, so there’s no risk involved in getting in touch.

How can First4Lawyers help?

We understand that making a claim may not be your first priority if you’ve suffered medical negligence - especially if you’re still coming to terms with your diagnosis. But you could be entitled to compensation and support.

We can put you in touch with expert medical negligence solicitors who are experienced in these types of claims. They will work on your behalf to build a strong case and secure you the best outcome possible.

Your solicitor will be there to answer any questions you may have throughout the claims process, making sure you’re prepared at each stage. So you won’t need to worry about facing it alone.

We can help you on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you’ll have nothing to pay upfront and no legal fees to cover if your claim is unsuccessful. To find out more, get in touch with our claims team.

Cervical cancer claims FAQs

How long do I have to make a cervical cancer claim?

If you didn’t receive the care you needed from a GP or hospital, you’ll usually have three years to make a claim. This could be from the date that the negligence took place or from when you first became aware of it.

It’s also possible to make a claim on behalf of a loved one who has passed away due to negligence. In these cases, you’ll have three years from the date of their death to start a claim.

Your solicitor will make sure that all the necessary paperwork is processed and that relevant deadlines are met throughout your claim. But we would always recommend seeking legal advice as early as you’re able to.

Starting your claim sooner could make it easier for your solicitor to access recent evidence to support your claim. It may also be easier for you to recall the details of what happened as it will likely be fresher in your mind.

How much compensation could I get for my claim?

There’s no straightforward answer to this question as every case is unique. But if your claim is successful, your compensation will likely be split into general and special damages.

General damages will consider the pain and suffering you’ve experienced as a result of the negligence you endured. For a rough estimate of how much you could receive in general damages, visit our free compensation calculator.

Special damages are slightly different as they will take into account any financial losses you’ve suffered. This could include lost earnings if you’ve had to take time off work, or the cost of further medical treatment.

Having a specialist solicitor by your side can provide the reassurance that any settlement you receive will be reflective of what you’ve been through. Your solicitor will gather the details of your case and negotiate on your behalf to try and secure you the outcome you deserve.

Will making a claim take money away from the NHS?

We understand that you may have concerns about how your claim could affect the NHS. But you shouldn’t let this put you off seeking the compensation you could be entitled to.

The NHS is prepared for claims like yours and money is put aside each year to cover the cost of compensation payouts. So you don’t need to worry about your claim directly affecting NHS services.

It’s only right that you get the justice you deserve, whether you were treated in an NHS or private medical setting. We can help you to achieve this.

I think I have a cervical cancer claim – what should I do?

If you’ve suffered due to negligence in the diagnosis or treatment of your cervical cancer, you could have a claim for compensation.

When you feel ready, get in touch with our experienced claims advisors to find out if you have a strong claim. We’ll listen to the details of what happened and if we think you have a case, we’ll ask if you’d like to speak to one of our solicitors.

It will be completely up to you whether you’d like to go forward with a claim after speaking to us. And there’s always the option to call us back at a later time.

To find out more, call us on the number at the top of the screen or request a callback. There’s also the option to fill in our quick and simple claims form if you’d prefer to reach out to us online.