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Delayed diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma leads to compensation

Clinical negligence solicitor Kirsten Wall settles cancer claim for client

Posted on 09 May 2012

Clinical negligence solicitor, Kirsten Wall, has secured a settlement for a 21 year old trainee nurse, Angela, whose diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was delayed by 11 months.

In June 2007, Angela noticed a lump on the side of her neck.  Her GP referred her to Watford General Hospital for a CT scan of her chest and a biopsy of the lump.  The CT scan, performed on 13 July 2007, concluded that the shadowing observed was suggestive of lymphoma.  However, histological analysis of the lump was carried out and concluded that Angela had tuberculosis (TB). 

Despite this conflict in diagnosis, Angela was prescribed anti-TB medication.  Regular chest x-rays showed no reduction in the size of the shadowing observed in Angela’s chest.  However, Angela completed her six month course of TB treatment during which time she needed special approval from the clinics and hospitals where she was nursing because of the diagnosis of TB which is highly contagious.

On 30 April 2008, Angela noticed another lump on her neck.  A chest x-ray was performed which identified a significant increase in size of the shadowing in Angela’s chest compared to when she presented with the first neck lump in June 2007.  A biopsy of the lump was taken and histological analysis on 9 May 2008 concluded that Angela was suffering from diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Angela underwent eight cycles of chemotherapy during which time she was unable to continue with her nursing. 

Angela received damages of £60,000.

Angela said:

“I was incredibly happy with the service provided and Kirsten was always happy to talk through anything I didn’t understand.  I felt I knew what was happening at all times.  Thank you for all your hard work”.