Settlement following fatal delayed melanoma diagnosis at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Julia Hamilton concluded a case on behalf of the family of an elderly woman who died from metastatic melanoma after a negligent delay in diagnosis.

The deceased went to her GP with a suspicious mole on her calf and was referred to a dermatologist for review. Following examination by the dermatologist, a benign condition, seborrheic keratosis, was diagnosed. The mole was treated with cryotherapy and she was discharged.

Sadly, the lesion was in fact a melanoma and was diagnosed as such two years later when she returned to her GP concerned that the mole had grown and was weeping. The woman underwent surgery to remove the lesion, which necessitated a split skin graft. Unfortunately, despite the procedure, the melanoma had spread to the deceased's lymph nodes and she died from her disease.

Julia pursued a claim on behalf of the deceased's estate and for her husband. A letter of claim was sent to the defendant trust and an admission of liability was made in response. Negotiations then followed and ultimately a settlement of £162,500 was agreed to include an award for the deceased's pain and suffering, the care and assistance she had required from her family before her death, a bereavement award, funeral expenses and the loss of services to her husband.

Contact us

For further information about melanoma claims and delayed diagnosis claims, please call Julia Hamilton on 03304606780 or email julia.hamilton@fieldfisher.com.

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• You can speak to our medical negligence solicitors on freephone 0800 358 3848
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