In June 2012, Mr C underwent a CT pulmonary angiogram and was diagnosed with a pleural effusion.
He was admitted to hospital on 18 June 2012 to undergo drainage of the pleural effusion and an abdominal CT scan was performed. The results recorded a mass arising from the mid pole of the right kidney.
Despite this, Mr C was reassured by the medical team that the results demonstrated benign pleuritis only and he was sent home.
By September 2012, Mr C was suffering from reduced power, reduced sensation, and reduced coordination in his arm and fingers. He was referred to hospital and underwent an MRI scan of the brain.
The scan revealed a left fronto-parietal lobe lesion and a right anteriot frontal lobe lesion. It was only at this stage that Mr C was told that the CT scan carried out in June had actually revealed possible renal cell carcinoma and it was likely that he had a form of renal cancer which had then spread to his brain and was causing the new symptoms.
Mr C was referred for consideration of surgery. However, before this could take place, he was admitted to hospital on 3 November 2012 having suffered a fit. He remained in hospital until his death on 9 November 2012 following a left fronto-parietal lobe haemorrhage.
The family of Mr C instructed Nelsons to pursue a claim of medical negligence for the failure to appropriately diagnose and treat renal cancer in June 2012.
Expert evidence was obtained confirming that, whilst the cancer was not curable, had treatment been commenced earlier, Mr C would have survived for a further 12 months approximately.
The Defendant Hospital acknowledged the failure to communicate the kidney tumour to Mr C in June 2012 but denied that the delay in diagnosis and treatment had resulted in Mr C’s premature death.
However, an offer of settlement was made, which the family accepted.
The family was represented by Danielle Young from our Medical Negligence team. If you would like more information or advice on pursuing a claim for compensation, please contact a member of the team on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.
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