Brain Cancer Claims
Being diagnosed with brain cancer is difficult enough but, when things go wrong in hospital, the outcome can be truly devastating. If you or someone in your family suffered at the hands of your healthcare team, our medical negligence solicitors may be able to help you. At Been Let Down, we have the skills and experience to win even the most complex brain cancer claims.
- Medical negligence solicitors approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- No Win No Fee funding for your claim
- Client success stories across England and Wales
- Over 15 years of experience in cancer misdiagnosis claims
Can I make a brain cancer claim?
Whether it affects you, your child or another member of your family, brain cancer can be incredibly difficult to deal with. Brain tumours often cause unpredictable symptoms before they’re diagnosed, which are sometimes mistaken for signs of less serious conditions.
Unfortunately, this means that brain cancer misdiagnosis is common. Because the symptoms of brain cancer may suddenly appear and quickly intensify, some patients are diagnosed too late for curative treatment. Some people may only experience mild symptoms at first, which can be overlooked by general practitioners.
If you’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer due to mistakes made by those responsible for treating your brain tumour, our solicitors may be able to help you. Whether it was a delay in your hospital referral, misinterpreted test results or a failure to carry out necessary imaging checks, negligence can occur at any stage in a cancer treatment journey.
Successful brain cancer compensation claims can deliver justice and closure for you and your family. Contact us for a free consultation if you think you’ve experienced negligent treatment.
About brain cancer
Brain cancer is a disease caused by the growth of a cancerous (malignant) tumour in the brain or within the central nervous system.
- Primary brain cancer is a tumour that starts growing in the brain.
- Secondary brain cancer travels from another part of the body to the brain.
Unfortunately, brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and young people. They kill more people under the age of 40 than any other type of cancer.
The symptoms of brain cancer vary slightly according to someone’s age. In adults, the symptoms caused by a brain tumour might include:
- Behavioural challenges, including personality changes and memory loss
- Headaches
- Persistent nausea, vomiting and dizziness
- Problems with vision or speech
- Progressive weakness or paralysis only on one side of the body
- Seizures (fits)
In addition to those experienced by adults, which can also appear in young people, the symptoms of brain cancer in children may include:
- A baby’s head measuring larger than expected
- Stopped or delayed puberty
- Difficulties with eyesight or vision
- Problems with balance, strength and coordination
- Problems with posture or being able to sit up
In the UK, brain tumours are the ninth most common type of cancer.
Brain cancer can affect people at any age but it’s slightly more common in adults than children. More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year.
There are more than 100 different types of brain tumours, typically named after the type of cell they develop from. Tumours can start in any part of the spinal cord or brain and they’re either non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
In adults, the most common type of brain tumour is known as a glioma. It starts in glial cells, which support the brain and spinal cord. There are three different types within these tumours, including:
- Astrocytoma – the most common type of glioma. There are three grades, each developing from an astrocyte, which is a type of glial cell.
- Glioblastoma – this is a fast-growing glioma, diagnosed via genetic mutation. This tumour accounts for almost one third of all primary brain tumours diagnosed in England.
- Oligodendroglioma – a rare type of glioma that starts in cells called oligodendrocytes. They are usually found in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum.
Brain tumours in children are normally different to those encountered by adults and they are most commonly primary tumours. It’s unusual for children to have a cancer that spreads from another part of the body to the brain.
What are some examples of brain cancer negligence?
Brain cancer is often challenging to diagnose until it reaches more advanced stages. When young children present with headaches or vomiting, for example, doctors might overlook the possibility of cancer. The condition is frequently confused with less severe issues such as migraines, tension headaches, or other neurological disorders.
Brain cancer misdiagnosis is one of the most common forms of brain-cancer-related negligence investigated by our team. However, there can be other negligent actions in the care and/or treatment of someone with brain cancer. These may include:
- Errors during surgery for tumour removal
- Failure to follow up on test results or screenings
- Failure to refer a patient to the appropriate NHS hospital trust or specialist
- Misinterpreted diagnostic results, including missing tumours
Our experience in cancer misdiagnosis claims
Our team of medical negligence solicitors understand the sensitive nature of brain cancer compensation claims. Any cancer diagnosis is deeply distressing but this type of cancer is inherently linked to a lower quality of life and a poor prognosis for many patients.
Treatment can be painful and debilitating, so we understand that being awarded compensation is only a small part of a much bigger journey. You can rest assured that our expert team will handle your case with respect, professionalism and perseverance.
Why choose Been Let Down?
Brain cancer misdiagnosis can be debilitating for victims and devastating for their families. No one should have to see a loved one pass away due to failures in their care.
Whether your early symptoms were missed, or you weren’t properly informed about your options, we are here to advocate for you. Our team at Been Let Down will guide you through the next steps.
- We’re a trusted independent law firm with over 15 years of experience handling claims for cancer misdiagnosis and treatment delays.
- With a team of solicitors approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, you can rest assured that we work to the highest standards.
- We offer No Win No Fee funding for many cases, which means you generally won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.
- Our team includes members of the Law Society and the Liverpool Law Society.
- Thanks to our unwavering support and meticulous attention to detail, we’ve earned hundreds of positive client reviews.
Frequently asked questions about brain cancer claims
Yes. You can still help if your loved one is still undergoing brain cancer treatment and they’re too unwell to proceed with their claim independently. In this instance, we recommend serving as their Litigation Friend throughout the claims process.
No two brain cancer claims are the same. Some cases focus on identifying mistakes that prompted a misdiagnosis, while others explore the factors leading to unexpected fatalities.
At Been Let Down, all our solicitors have access to tools to assist in valuing your claim, such as the latest edition of the Judicial College Guidelines. This is a formally regulated document, used by trusted solicitors across the UK. The final amount will depend on various factors, including:
- The impact of negligence on your overall health, independence and quality of life.
- Any financial losses, including time spent unable to work.
- The severity of your brain cancer and how fast it progresses.
- Costs of future treatment, including hospice stays or any necessary palliative care.
Yes. All medical negligence claims are subject to time limits, which are stipulated in the Limitation Act 1980. Brain cancer compensation claims must be started within:
- Three years from the date of the negligence or the date you became aware of it.
- For children, three years from the date of their 18th birthday.
If a person lacks the mental capacity to claim without support, they will be exempt from these limits. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to know more about when you can claim.
Contact us today
When you’re dealing with something as critical as brain cancer, there’s no room for mistakes. We’re here to show you that in cases of brain cancer misdiagnosis, you can find justice.
Call us today at 0800 234 3234 or request a callback at a time that works best for you. If you’d like, we’ll offer our advice on whether we think you have a valid claim.
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