Can I Claim Compensation for a Delay in Crohn’s Disease Diagnosis?
Posted on: 2 mins read
Head of Clinical Negligence
Crohn’s disease affects people of all ages and can be a long-term infection where parts of the digestive system become inflamed. If left untreated it can be life threatening and anyone showing symptoms may need surgery as a matter of urgency.
This could prevent an uncontrolled perforation or rupture of the bowel and the subsequent development of an infection of sepsis. Over 11 million people are thought to die needlessly from sepsis in the world every year. Those who survive suffer from debilitating symptoms for many years.
Unfortunately, there are cases where people have delays to their diagnosis and the necessary treatment or been misdiagnosed. A delayed or incorrect diagnosis could equate to negligence and you may be able to bring a medical negligence claim against the GP, hospital/trust who were responsible. Our team could advise you with a free case assessment and a plan to help getting your life back on track.
We're rated‘Excellent’What are the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
The main symptoms are:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach aches and cramps
- Blood in your poo
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
If you think you might have Crohn’s disease you should see your GP straight away. They may arrange to carry out some tests on you and refer you to a specialist. Sometimes people who have developed Crohn’s disease have been misdiagnosed, causing even more pain and suffering. If you are not provided with the necessary treatment or if it is unreasonably delayed, you could suffer much more serious consequences.
If this has happened to you or a loved one, our specialist team of Medical Negligence Solicitors can help get you the compensation you deserve. Anyone can get Crohn’s disease, even your children and we can act for them too.
The exact cause is unknown but according to the NHS several things could play a key role. These include:
- Your genes
- A problem with your immune system
- Smoking
- A previous stomach bug
- An abnormal balance of gut bacteria
What the Research Says
According to a recent study, some people experience symptoms of Crohn’s up to 10 years before they are formally diagnosed. It was found that delayed diagnosis may be due to it being mistaken for other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and haemorrhoids. Some people also waited a significant amount of time before being able to see a specialist though, it is believed these waiting lists are now much shorter.
Can you Help Speed up the Claims Process?
The time it takes for a claim can vary, however if the other party admits liability we can often apply for interim payments before you case reaches its conclusion. These can be especially useful for you to pay for ongoing medical treatment, support, and any equipment you may need. They can also be used as financial support if you are unable to work. You should remember though that any interim payments will be deducted from your final award.
If you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease later than you should have been or not referred for further checks quickly enough, our Medical Negligence Solicitors can help you claim compensation.
No amount of money can fully make up for what you’ve been through, but it can help you get the care, support, and rehabilitation you need. Get in touch with us today.
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