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Case Overview:
The Plaintiff’s wife had a family history of bowel cancer and regularly had colonoscopies, which had shown no issues. In 2019, she saw her GP complaining of tiredness and changes in her bowel habits. Blood tests showed low haemoglobin, and she was referred to a surgeon at the Defendant hospital.
She had a review in January 2020, and despite her symptoms and family history, a colonoscopy in August 2020 was normal. In October 2020, she returned with ongoing symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, but was told an abdominal CT scan would be arranged, no appointment was forthcoming despite her GP submitting a further referral form to the defendant hospital in July 2021.
Due to the concerns of her GP and in light of the persistent deterioration of her haemoglobin level, she was referred by her GP to a different hospital and underwent a CT examination in August 2021 which revealed a tumour in her colon. Further tests confirmed she had advanced colon cancer with spinal spread. Sadly, she passed away in December 2021.
Our medical expert argued that the defendant hospital failed to properly follow up on her symptoms including not repeating the colonoscopy when needed and not arranging a CT scan. This led to her cancer being diagnosed too late for effective treatment, ultimately causing her death.
Lavelle Partners obtained expert evidence form a Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Consultant Surgeon, Forensic & Legal Nursing Consultant and a Consultant Colorectal General and Laparoscopic Surgeon.
Case Settlement:
The case was successfully mediated for a significant sum with costs in advance of the trial.
Further Information
For more information or to discuss a possible case, please contact Partner Avril Scally or Solicitor Avril Carroll in our Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Team.
For further guidance see our Delayed Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment & Cancer Misdiagnosis pages.