Legal News
Terminally ill man receives almost £180,000 in damages after his GP misdiagnosed his cancer for a fungal nail infection (12 June 2017)
Date: 12/06/2017
A musician with terminal skin cancer has won £178,845 in damages after his GP misdiagnosed his condition as a fungal nail infection, London’s High Court has heard.
In September 2011, Peter Cosgrove visited his GP in Devon because his right thumb nail was deformed following the removal of a large splinter 10 years before. His GP – Dr Asaad Al-Doori – prescribed him a course of oral antifungal medication, but the condition of the nail and the nail bed got progressively worse.
Mr Cosgrove saw another doctor in June 2012 who immediately referred him for a biopsy. The biopsy confirmed the presence of skin cancer under the nail and Mr Cosgrove had to have the thumb partially amputated. Although the early prognosis was optimistic, Mr Justice Goss of the High Court has said: “The disease will cause his death, the latest prognosis is that he may have 10-30 months of life left.”
Medical experts agreed that at the time of Mr Cosgrove’s initial visit to the GP, the appearance of his thumb “was not consistent with a fungal infection” and “suggestive of malignancy”, and as a result of Dr Al-Doori’s failure to recognise this, Mr Cosgrove underwent surgery 10 months later than he should have.
Following his diagnosis, Peter Cosgrove has undergone 13 operations and a cycle of chemotherapy, and in July 2012 his life expectancy had reduced significantly to about six years from that date.
The compensation of £178,845 included £70,000 damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, plus sums for his lost earnings, care, travel and funeral expenses.
Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors
If you have been misdiagnosed, or your doctor failed to make a diagnosis, Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors may be able to help you make a claim. The Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims including accident and emergency failures, GP negligence claims, misdiagnosed fractures and other medical conditions and wrongful death claims. They also act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals.
If you believe your doctor has made a mistake and wish to claim compensation or have any questions about treatment you have received, please do not hesitate to contact our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.