Mouth cancer can be a life changing diagnosis but devastating if you’ve faced medical negligence as well.
Mouth cancer can be a life changing diagnosis but devastating if you’ve faced medical negligence as well.
I am very happy and satisfied with the settlement you achieved for me and the service was excellent and thank you very much
Mrs E.Swaffield
Loughborough
Medical negligence, whilst uncommon, can have a big impact on your life and wellbeing.
Mouth cancer prognoses are generally good and patients have an excellent chance of being completely cured. However, that doesn’t make a cancer diagnosis any less scary and the effectiveness of treatment is often linked to how quickly the cancer is diagnosed. For those who have been affected by medical negligence in the form of delayed or misdiagnosed mouth cancer, it can affect their chances of beating the disease, as well as their overall wellbeing and ability to cope emotionally.
Read moreWhen you’re suffering with cancer you should be able to rely on the medical team responsible for your care. If you’ve been let down you probably feel vulnerable, frustrated, angry and wanting answers. Mouth cancer that is diagnosed during the early stages can often be cured with minor surgery, while those patients who are diagnosed later may require extensive surgery and facial reconstruction. If mouth cancer misdiagnosis led to your cancer progressing, you could make a medical negligence claim.
Here at Your Legal Friend, we know that starting a claim can seem like a big step, but we can help. If you have received substandard care and your outcome affected as a result you will be entitled to financial compensation that will help you and your family at this difficult time. We also hope that by making the Hospital or GP involved question the way that you were treated you will get answers and it may reduce the chances of the same mistakes being repeated and devastating another family. When you instruct us you’ll be represented by an expert and friendly team of specialist medical negligence solicitors. We’ll be on hand every step of the way, offering advice and support, and making your claims process as simple as possible.
Read lessOur medical negligence team has years of experience working on a wide variety of medical malpractice cases so we understand just how difficult a decision it can be to bring a medical negligence case.
That’s why we are committed to guiding you through every step of the process. We ensure that your claim is handled carefully and professionally by our specialist solicitors, while working alongside medical experts, to guarantee the best results for you.
Read moreOur medical negligence team is headed by Laura Morgan who has a wealth of experience in leading complicated, high value medical negligence cases.
Laura is recognised within the legal profession as a leader in the field of medical negligence and serious injury compensation. Laura has acted in a wide range of cases over her 17 years of practice and has particular expertise in acting for children who have suffered brain injury due to mismanaged birth or surgical errors, and in managing claims that have resulted in the death of a loved one. Laura has achieved a number of large settlements including £5.4 million for a 7 year old and £4 million for an 11 year old child.
Laura’s expertise and dedication to her clients is recognised in the Chambers guide to the Legal Profession in which she was praised for the efficiency of her approach to case handling and described as “tenacious and detail-oriented”.
Laura has been a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel since 2005 and accredited as a Senior Litigator in the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) since 2006. Laura is also a member of the specialist lawyers panel for Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), the UK’s leading charity committed to patient safety and justice.
For an informal, confidential chat with one of our specialist medical negligence solicitors, call us now on 0808 115 9269(calls free from landlines and mobiles). Or just complete the 'Start a new claim’ option on the right and we'll call you straight back.
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The effects of medical negligence can be devastating for the individual and their families, so securing appropriate compensation for them as quickly as possible is our top priority.
Director of Medical Negligence
“I found the staff to be friendly, helpful, courteous and they kept me well informed on a regular basis”
Mrs. Vora,
Loughborough
“They acted in a sympathetic and professional manner and resolved my case very efficiently”
Mr Dowse
Leeds
It is possible to make a claim for mouth cancer misdiagnosis if you have been affected. There is a range of ways that medical negligence can occur but in order to take a successful claim, you must be able to show that medical professionals let you down and caused undue suffering as a result, such as cancer worsening meaning more extensive surgery was needed.
We will need evidence, including medical records, that could show mouth cancer misdiagnosis, for instance, occurred due to:
Mouth cancer claims that are successful receive different amounts of compensation. This is because each case is valued depending on the effect medical negligence has on the patient’s life. As a result, it’s impossible to say how much compensation you could receive without fully understanding your case. However, medical negligence claims, including those for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, can amount to thousands.
In 2014 the NHS paid out over £194 million to patients that had been affected by levels of care that were not up to standard. If you’re pursuing a mouth cancer misdiagnosis claim a wide range of factors will be taken into consideration when calculating its value, such as the effect it had on the treatment options for you and the impact it can have on your quality of life. What’s more, other areas can also be factored in, such as loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work or extra medical expenses you may have paid.
When you work with us, our expert team will listen to your personal experiences and give your claim a value that reflects the treatment and suffering caused by a missed mouth cancer diagnosis.
If you have been affected by medical negligence when you had mouth cancer and would like to make a claim you must do so within 3 years.
Mouth cancer misdiagnosis claims, as with all medical claims, have 3 years from the ‘date of knowledge’ to be taken forward. This term refers to the point that you first realised a mistake had been made with your care, this could include test results being read inaccurately or the misdiagnosis of mouth cancer. In some cases, the ‘date of knowledge’ can occur a significant amount of time after you first visited your GP, making it difficult to understand exactly when this date is. If you’re unsure or would like to check if your case still falls within the specified time frame, you can talk to us.
Read moreWhile you do have up to 3 years to make a claim, we suggest that you seek professional, legal advice as soon as possible. Starting the process sooner means that the details of your case are fresher in your mind and easier to recall, it can also make it easier to obtain supporting documents as evidence, such as medical records. Taking on a mouth cancer malpractice claim can seem like the last thing you want to do while you’re still recovering from cancer but we will explain what needs to be done clearly so that you understand the process.
Read lessIf you’re worried about symptoms that could be mouth cancer you can book an appointment with either your GP or dentist. Whichever you choose, they will ask you about the symptoms you’re experiencing and carry out a physical examination. If mouth cancer is suspected you may be referred to a hospital or a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
The NHS has guidelines for referring patients after the signs of mouth cancer have been recognised. In some urgent cases, such as a patient that has an unexplained ulceration in the oral cavity that has lasted more than 3 weeks, this should be within 2 weeks.
Mouth cancer is typically diagnosed via a biopsy, a procedure that involves removing a small sample of cells from the suspected cancerous area for testing in a lab. There is more than one type of biopsy that can be used to achieve a mouth cancer diagnosis, which one is chosen will depend on a range of factors, such as how accessible the affected tissue is.
Read moreIf the biopsy shows that cancer is present a specialist will be able to say what type of mouth cancer it is and the grade of the cancer, indicating how aggressive the cancer is. At this point you’ll also be required to undergo further testing, allowing the team responsible for your care to assess the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread, although it is rare for mouth cancer to spread beyond the lymph glands in the neck. These additional tests may include:
It is possible for mouth cancer to be misdiagnosed either by a GP or by a dentist. During the initial stages the signs of mouth cancer may be wrongly linked to other causes, such as irritation and sores being the result of a sharp tooth. However, persistent signs of mouth cancer should be further examined and referred to a specialist. Where this hasn’t occurred it may be possible to make a claim for medical negligence.
The prognosis following a mouth cancer diagnosis is often very good, particularly if it’s diagnosed during the earliest stages. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your circumstances, for example, considering how far the cancer has spread and your general health. In some cases, a complete cure may be possible with just surgery, in others radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be required to control the disease.
The team that’s responsible for your care will recommend a treatment option but the final say remains with the patient. Treatment for mouth cancer can include:
Read moreSurgery
Surgery is often used to treat mouth cancer and can be used as a complete cure in some early stage cases. All surgery aims to remove the cancerous tissue and minimise the damage to other areas. However, in some cases in may be necessary to remove part of the mouth lining, facial skin, tongue, or jaw bone to get rid of the cancer completely. Where bones or skin need to be removed it is possible to replace these from other parts of the body or use 3D printing technology. Lymph nodes may also be removed, often as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is often used in conjunction with surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. It uses doses of radiation to kill cancerous cells that may have been left behind. Where the cancer has developed in the tongue and is still in the early stages, internal radiotherapy, where radioactive implants are placed into the tumour, may also be an option.
Chemotherapy
Chemo is typically only used to treat mouth cancer alongside radiotherapy if the cancer is widespread or there’s a substantial risk that it will return. The cancer-killing medicines aim to stop the cancerous cells from multiplying.
There are also other treatment options that may be recommend as either alternatives or to work alongside the main options in certain circumstances. These include cetuximab and photodynamic therapy.
Read lessThere are different types of mouth cancer depending on the cells that the cancer first started to develop in. The type of mouth cancer that you have should be determined at the diagnosis stage and can have an impact on the treatment options that are recommend for you.
Squamous cells are the flat, skin like cells that cover the inside of the mouth, nose, larynx, and throat. The majority of mouth cancers start in these cells, with more than 90% of oral cancer being diagnosed as squamous cell cancers of the mouth and oropharynx.
There are other types of mouth cancer, although they account for just 10% of cases between them and are therefore less likely to occur. These include:
Read moreAcross the UK in 2014 there were 11,449 cases of head and neck cancer and 2,386 deaths as a result of the disease.
The statistics on mouth cancer survival rates aren’t as precise as others. For instance, between 19% and 59% of people diagnosed with head and neck cancers survive their disease for more than a decade, while between 61% and 86% will survive their diagnosis for a year or more. There are many factors that affect the mouth cancer survival rate, including the type of cancer present, the age of the patient, and the stage the cancer is at when it’s diagnosed.
According to Cancer Research UK, over 90% of oral cancer cases could be preventable through lifestyle changes, including cutting down tobacco and alcohol consumption and increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables eaten.
It is possible to make a claim for mouth cancer misdiagnosis if you have been affected. There is a range of ways that medical negligence can occur but in order to take a successful claim, you must be able to show that medical professionals let you down and caused undue suffering as a result, such as cancer worsening meaning more extensive surgery was needed.
We will need evidence, including medical records, that could show mouth cancer misdiagnosis, for instance, occurred due to:
Mouth cancer claims that are successful receive different amounts of compensation. This is because each case is valued depending on the effect medical negligence has on the patient’s life. As a result, it’s impossible to say how much compensation you could receive without fully understanding your case. However, medical negligence claims, including those for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, can amount to thousands.
In 2014 the NHS paid out over £194 million to patients that had been affected by levels of care that were not up to standard. If you’re pursuing a mouth cancer misdiagnosis claim a wide range of factors will be taken into consideration when calculating its value, such as the effect it had on the treatment options for you and the impact it can have on your quality of life. What’s more, other areas can also be factored in, such as loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work or extra medical expenses you may have paid.
When you work with us, our expert team will listen to your personal experiences and give your claim a value that reflects the treatment and suffering caused by a missed mouth cancer diagnosis.
If you have been affected by medical negligence when you had mouth cancer and would like to make a claim you must do so within 3 years.
Mouth cancer misdiagnosis claims, as with all medical claims, have 3 years from the ‘date of knowledge’ to be taken forward. This term refers to the point that you first realised a mistake had been made with your care, this could include test results being read inaccurately or the misdiagnosis of mouth cancer. In some cases, the ‘date of knowledge’ can occur a significant amount of time after you first visited your GP, making it difficult to understand exactly when this date is. If you’re unsure or would like to check if your case still falls within the specified time frame, you can talk to us.
Read moreWhile you do have up to 3 years to make a claim, we suggest that you seek professional, legal advice as soon as possible. Starting the process sooner means that the details of your case are fresher in your mind and easier to recall, it can also make it easier to obtain supporting documents as evidence, such as medical records. Taking on a mouth cancer malpractice claim can seem like the last thing you want to do while you’re still recovering from cancer but we will explain what needs to be done clearly so that you understand the process.
Read lessIf you’re worried about symptoms that could be mouth cancer you can book an appointment with either your GP or dentist. Whichever you choose, they will ask you about the symptoms you’re experiencing and carry out a physical examination. If mouth cancer is suspected you may be referred to a hospital or a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
The NHS has guidelines for referring patients after the signs of mouth cancer have been recognised. In some urgent cases, such as a patient that has an unexplained ulceration in the oral cavity that has lasted more than 3 weeks, this should be within 2 weeks.
Mouth cancer is typically diagnosed via a biopsy, a procedure that involves removing a small sample of cells from the suspected cancerous area for testing in a lab. There is more than one type of biopsy that can be used to achieve a mouth cancer diagnosis, which one is chosen will depend on a range of factors, such as how accessible the affected tissue is.
Read moreIf the biopsy shows that cancer is present a specialist will be able to say what type of mouth cancer it is and the grade of the cancer, indicating how aggressive the cancer is. At this point you’ll also be required to undergo further testing, allowing the team responsible for your care to assess the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread, although it is rare for mouth cancer to spread beyond the lymph glands in the neck. These additional tests may include:
It is possible for mouth cancer to be misdiagnosed either by a GP or by a dentist. During the initial stages the signs of mouth cancer may be wrongly linked to other causes, such as irritation and sores being the result of a sharp tooth. However, persistent signs of mouth cancer should be further examined and referred to a specialist. Where this hasn’t occurred it may be possible to make a claim for medical negligence.
The prognosis following a mouth cancer diagnosis is often very good, particularly if it’s diagnosed during the earliest stages. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your circumstances, for example, considering how far the cancer has spread and your general health. In some cases, a complete cure may be possible with just surgery, in others radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be required to control the disease.
The team that’s responsible for your care will recommend a treatment option but the final say remains with the patient. Treatment for mouth cancer can include:
Read moreSurgery
Surgery is often used to treat mouth cancer and can be used as a complete cure in some early stage cases. All surgery aims to remove the cancerous tissue and minimise the damage to other areas. However, in some cases in may be necessary to remove part of the mouth lining, facial skin, tongue, or jaw bone to get rid of the cancer completely. Where bones or skin need to be removed it is possible to replace these from other parts of the body or use 3D printing technology. Lymph nodes may also be removed, often as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is often used in conjunction with surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. It uses doses of radiation to kill cancerous cells that may have been left behind. Where the cancer has developed in the tongue and is still in the early stages, internal radiotherapy, where radioactive implants are placed into the tumour, may also be an option.
Chemotherapy
Chemo is typically only used to treat mouth cancer alongside radiotherapy if the cancer is widespread or there’s a substantial risk that it will return. The cancer-killing medicines aim to stop the cancerous cells from multiplying.
There are also other treatment options that may be recommend as either alternatives or to work alongside the main options in certain circumstances. These include cetuximab and photodynamic therapy.
Read lessThere are different types of mouth cancer depending on the cells that the cancer first started to develop in. The type of mouth cancer that you have should be determined at the diagnosis stage and can have an impact on the treatment options that are recommend for you.
Squamous cells are the flat, skin like cells that cover the inside of the mouth, nose, larynx, and throat. The majority of mouth cancers start in these cells, with more than 90% of oral cancer being diagnosed as squamous cell cancers of the mouth and oropharynx.
There are other types of mouth cancer, although they account for just 10% of cases between them and are therefore less likely to occur. These include:
Read moreAcross the UK in 2014 there were 11,449 cases of head and neck cancer and 2,386 deaths as a result of the disease.
The statistics on mouth cancer survival rates aren’t as precise as others. For instance, between 19% and 59% of people diagnosed with head and neck cancers survive their disease for more than a decade, while between 61% and 86% will survive their diagnosis for a year or more. There are many factors that affect the mouth cancer survival rate, including the type of cancer present, the age of the patient, and the stage the cancer is at when it’s diagnosed.
According to Cancer Research UK, over 90% of oral cancer cases could be preventable through lifestyle changes, including cutting down tobacco and alcohol consumption and increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables eaten.
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