According to Cancer Research UK, around 10,500 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year in the UK. People trust that if they are unlucky enough to suffer such a life-changing disease, the cancer will be detected early and that their doctor will deliver the right treatment and support. But what happens if they don’t?
At Legal Expert, our solicitors are highly experienced in bladder cancer compensation claims, and if you’ve been harmed because a medical professional acted negligently, we can help.
Key Takeaways
- Bladder cancer can affect anyone, but it’s more common in those over the age of 60
- If your bladder cancer was negligently misdiagnosed, you could make a compensation claim
- All medical professionals need to meet the accepted standard of care, whether they work in the NHS or privately
- Whether your cancer was misdiagnosed as a UTI or your symptoms weren’t taken seriously, one of our No Win No Fee solicitors could help you make a medical negligence claim
Contact Us
We are here to help. When you contact Legal Expert, one of our helpful advisors will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about the claims process. Contact us today to get started by:
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- Calling us on 0800 073 8804
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Can I Make A Claim For Bladder Cancer Compensation?
Yes, you can make a claim for bladder cancer compensation if you are a victim of medical negligence. But what does this term actually mean?
Essentially, medical negligence occurs when:
- A medical professional owes you a duty of care, which means they need to provide care that meets a minimum standard
- Their treatment fails to meet this minimum standard, for example, they misdiagnose your cancer
- You are unnecessarily harmed as a result, e.g the cancer is allowed to spread past the point of treatment
You’re automatically owed a duty of care by every medical professional who treats you. This means that if you’ve received treatment that falls below the accepted standard, and it caused you harm, you could potentially make a claim.
Keep reading to learn more about bladder cancer compensation claims. Alternatively, contact our advisors today to determine if you may be eligible to make a claim.
How Much Bladder Cancer Compensation Could I Get?
The amount of bladder cancer compensation that you could get depends on two main factors, which are:
- How severely you were harmed
- Whether the harm caused any financial losses
These two factors are covered under two separate headings: General damages and special damages. The actual harm you underwent and any loss of amenity falls under general damages, and every succesful claimant will receive compensation under this heading.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) are often used when calculating compensation under this heading. This is a document that provides guideline compensation brackets for various kinds of harm. You can see some examples of these below, but please keep in mind that these are not guaranteed amounts, and that the first entry in this table isn’t from the JCG.
| Harm | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Multiple types of severe harm alongside special damages, which can cover financial losses including lost earnings | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Female Reproductive Injuries (Infertility) (a) | £140,210 to £207,260 |
| Total Incontinence | Up to £224,790 |
| Bladder Injuries b) (Loss of function) | Up to £171,680 |
| Bladder Injuries c) (Pain and incontinence) | £78,080 to £97,540 |
| Bladder Injuries d) (Some interference in function) | £28,570 to £38,210 |
| Bladder cancer risk cases | £63,100 to £92,970. |
| Male Reproductive Injuries (Sexual dysfunction) (c) | £52,490 to £108,310 |
| Lung Disease (a) (In a young person) | £122,850 to £165,860 |
| Lung Disease (b) (In an older person) | £85,460 to £118,790 |
Keep reading to learn about special damages and what else can be covered by a bladder cancer compensation claim.
What Damages Can Compensation For Bladder Cancer Negligence Cover?
Bladder cancer compensation claims can also cover special damages. This head of claim refers to the financial losses you’ve experienced as a result of the negligence. For example, this heading could help you cover the cost of:
- Lost earnings
- Travel to and from appointments
- Private medical treatment
- Home adjustments
- Home care and medical equipment
- Professional carers
- Mobility aids
- Cosmetic aids, like wigs
These are only a few examples of what special damages can cover, but it’s important to note that you’ll need to provide proof of your losses in order to claim them back.
Fatal Bladder Cancer Compensation Claims
In the devastating event that you lose a loved one to bladder cancer negligence, we can help. Under the Fatal Accidents Act (1876) and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, you could make a claim:
- On their behalf: If you are the deceased’s estate, you can make a wrongful death claim on behalf of their pain and suffering, and on behalf of any dependents.
- On your behalf: If you are one of the deceased’s dependents, you can make a claim on your own behalf. You can only claim if their estate hasn’t already claimed for you, and if six months have passed since the death.
We understand that knowing when and how to claim under the Fatal Accidents Act can be difficult, especially when you’ve lost a loved one. But we are here to help: contact our expert advisors today to learn more about making a fatal accident claim, or keep reading for examples of bladder cancer compensation claims.
Examples Of Bladder Cancer Medical Negligence
So, how can bladder cancer medical negligence occur? Some examples of how medical negligence can occur during cancer treatment include:
- Misdiagnosis: You go to the GP showing clear symptoms of bladder cancer, but they dismiss your symptoms as period pain and refuse to order further testing. This allows your cancer to develop and spread, causing irreparable harm.
- Wrong medication: A therapeutic radiologist uses too high a frequency, and causes severe burns on your skin.
- Surgical error: You are undergoing surgery to remove cancerous tumours from your bladder. During this surgery, your surgeon’s lack of competence causes them to cut through to your bowel, resulting in a need for a colostomy bag.
Don’t worry if you can’t see your situation reflected in this list; these are only a few examples of potential bladder cancer compensation claims. Contact our team of advisors today to find out if you could be eligible to claim.
How Can I Prove Bladder Cancer Compensation Claims?
When you make a claim, it’s your responsibility to prove that medical negligence has occurred. But don’t worry; you don’t need to do this alone. At Legal Expert, our solicitors are highly experienced in gathering evidence and building strong claims. For example, they could help you collect evidence like:
- Photographs of visible harm, like visibly infected stitches
- The contact details of witnesses, such as an appointment chaperone, to allow their statements to be taken later
- Test results, including PET scans, MRI, blood tests, and X-rays
- Medical records that show the treatment you’ve received
- Prescriptions detailing the medication you’ve been given
If you choose to work with a solicitor, they will assess your claim and decide what kinds of evidence will work best for you. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help, or keep reading to learn about the bladder cancer compensation claims time limit.
How Long Is The Bladder Cancer Compensation Claims Time Limit?
The bladder cancer compensation claims time limit is usually 3 years, as per the Limitation Act 1980. This begins on the date the negligence occurred, or on the date that you connect the harm you’ve suffered.
You don’t need to finish your claim in this time; you just need to start it. Talk to our advisors today to learn about the exceptions to this time limit, or keep reading to learn how we can help.
Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim For Bladder Cancer Compensation?
At Legal Expert, we believe that everyone deserves legal representation when they need it. This is one of our core values, and our solicitors support this by providing their services on a No Win No Fee basis.
You might have heard this term before, but what does it actually mean? Well, in short, it means you don’t need to pay for your solicitor’s work if you don’t get compensation. All of our medical negligence solicitors work under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a kind of No Win No Fee agreement that means:
- You don’t pay for their work up front
- You don’t pay for their work as the claim goes on
- Again, you don’t pay for their work at all if you don’t get compensation
If one of our solicitors helps you get compensation, then they’ll take a small success fee. But don’t worry; this is taken as a legally-capped percentage of your payout, which means you keep the larger share.
Our solicitors are legal experts, and they can help you with every aspect of your claim. From gathering evidence to decoding legal jargon and negotiating a settlement, working with a solicitor means that you never have to struggle through the claims process alone.
Contact Legal Expert
Our team are here to help. Get in touch with us today to get started by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8804
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Frequently Asked Questions On Bladder Cancer Negligence
Still looking for answers? Take a look at some of our frequently asked questions below.
What Is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer occurs when cancerous cells form and grow in the lining of your bladder. It can affect anyone, but those over the age of 60 are most at risk.
What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer?
Common symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in your urine, pain or burning when you urinate, fast and unexplained weight loss, and pain in your back and lower stomach.
How Might Bladder Cancer Be Caused?
Bladder cancer doesn’t always have an obvious cause, but those who smoke or are repeatedly exposed to toxic chemicals are at a higher risk of developing it.
How Is Bladder Cancer Diagnosed?
Bladder cancer can be diagnosed through a number of tests, including a urine test, MRIs, PET scans, cytoscopies, blood tests, and biopsies.
Can Bladder Cancer Be Treated?
Yes, bladder cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
Learn More
For more helpful guides on medical negligence claims:
- Learn how to claim for a missed lumbar fracture
- Find out how to claim for misdiagnosed thyroid cancer
- Get help making a blood transfusion compensation claim
Or, to find more resources:
- Learn about coping with cancer from Cancer Research UK
- Information and support for people with cancer from Macmillan
- Good medical practice and standards from the General Medical Council (GMC)
Thank you for reading our guide to bladder cancer compensation claims.
