£235,000 Settlement in Delayed Laryngeal Cancer Case

Background  

In early 2021, our client, a 67-year-old grandmother had been referred to an NHS ENT department after suffering problems with her voice for 10 weeks. Following an examination in May that year, she was discharged. She continued to experience a deterioration in her voice and attended her GP to raise concerns.  

It was only when our client arranged a private ENT appointment in August that year, that a mass was discovered – she was referred to the NHS where she was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.  

Challenging a missed diagnosis 

The case was handled by medical negligence lawyers, Holly Shuttleworth and Georgina Tither.  

It was alleged that the defendant, the hospital trust, had failed to identify cancer at the initial ENT appointment in May 2021. It was also alleged that had an MRI scan been ordered following the ENT appointment, it would have highlighted abnormalities, and the cancer would have been diagnosed within four weeks.  

Had the cancer been diagnosed earlier, our medical experts considered that our client could have received radiation or chemo-radiotherapy, rather than having to undergo surgery. It was also alleged that an earlier diagnosis would also have reduced the chance of the cancer returning.  

Physical and emotional impact  

Due to the delayed diagnosis, the client’s symptoms worsened, including voice disturbance and stridor (an abnormal high-pitched sound when breathing). During this period, her voice became so weak that communication became difficult and at times, impossible.  

She required extensive surgery including a total laryngectomy and experienced complications including foot drop. She now has a permanent tracheal end stoma and scarring to her neck. 

Although she can now hold a conversation, at one point, our client could only communicate via pen and paper, and now she still has times where her voice is weaker and it is affected by changes in weather and illness.  

Our client can no longer eat solid foods; she uses a PEG and relies on food replacement drinks, which sometimes cause gastrointestinal problems.  

As well as the physical impact, the incident had a profound psychological impact, and our client suffers from adjustment disorder with anxiety. She struggles to communicate in busy environments and often feels left out in social scenarios.   

Outcome and compensation  

Due to the hard work and expertise of our team, the medical negligence case was resolved successfully, with our client receiving a significant settlement amount of £235,000, which will help her manage the long-term effects of the delayed diagnosis.