Diabetes Misdiagnosis Compensation Claims
No Win No Fee Compensation Claims
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation chat.
Claims Helpline 0333 987 4161
If treatment has been delayed by misdiagnosis this can lead to serious complications caused by diabetes. Diabetes misdiagnosis is unfortunately quite common and the effects of misdiagnosis or late diagnosis can be serious and life changing. Diabetes, if left untreated, can leave you with lifelong disability and can even cause fatalities in very serious cases.
Can you make a claim?
Call for a free no obligation chat with our specialist malpractice lawyers
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms include:
- Thirst
- Tiredness
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Weight loss
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diagnosis is the same for Type 1 and Type 2. if after speaking to your GP they think diabetes is a possible cause the next step is a simple urine test. If your test comes back positive for glucose you will then be requested to take a blood test for diabetes. The tests / results and diagnosis are usually a quick and straight forward process. You can then move onto treatment.
How is diabetes treated?
Treatment can vary but all treatment for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes aims to get glucose levels in the blood to normal levels or as close as possible. If you are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes then treatment will involve insulin treatments like injections to keep glucose levels down to normal levels. You should be frequently monitored by your GP and care team.
With Type 2 diabetes lifestyle is often the first thing to take a look at. Healthy eating, losing weight and exercising regularly can help enormously. You will often be recommended to reduce fat and sugar intake and taking up aerobic exercise. Sometimes you might need to take insulin based medication to lower glucose levels alongside your lifestyle changes.
Delayed treatment and referral
Once diabetes has been diagnosed it is also essential that the correct treatment is carried out immediately or unnecessary damage can occur. If you have experienced poor care or management of type 1 or type 2 diabetes then you may have developed serious side-effects. Complications include:
Some complications caused by misdiagnosis and delayed treatment:
- Heart attack and strokes – properties in the blood can lead to increased clot formation, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, a heart attack or stroke.
- Kidney disease and failure – if the blood vessels in kidneys become blocked, the kidneys work less efficiently. In severe cases this can lead to kidney failure.
- Nerve damage – poor blood sugar control can lead to diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) which mainly affects the legs and feet.
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – poorly controlled or higher than normal blood sugar levels in diabetics can cause the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow to the limbs. This can result in other serious conditions including diabetic foot.
- Blindness – diabetic retinopathy can be caused by high blood sugar levels which damage the retina. If left undiagnosed and untreated it can cause blurred vision or blindness.
- Amputations – failure to diagnose or understand the severity of infection and/or gangrene can often result in limb loss.
- Undiagnosed bone fractures – individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture owing to multiple factors.
- Osteomyelitis – an infection and inflammation of the bone, a common complication of diabetic foot ulcers and/or infections.
- Miscarriage and stillbirth – women with diabetes have an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. Glucose levels have to be very carefully controlled during pregnancy.
The Diabetic Foot
Both forms of diabetes are associated with arterial disease, affecting both large and small vessels. In addition to the vascular problems, diabetic patients can also have a sensory neuropathy. Sensory neuropathy is an abnormality of the nerves, whereby the feet become less sensitive. As a result of decreased sensation in the feet, diabetic patients are more likely to injure themselves from simple blisters due to excessive walking, or trauma, such as standing on a nail or a drawing pin, going unnoticed to the patient.
Increased Risk of Infection
Because diabetic patients are more prone to infection, they have to be treated carefully. When any patient presents with an ulcerated area on the foot or toes, diabetes should be excluded. These patients should then have a full history taken and undergo a proper examination.
If there are signs of arterial insufficiency and these signs include diminished pulses, pallor, pain, signs of slow healing or evidence of uncontrolled infection, then a formal vascular assessment should be carried out.
Treatment and Prevention
If large vessel disease is evident, this can be treated with angioplasty or vascular reconstruction. Treatment with antibiotics and surgical removal of superficial dead tissue should also be used.
Because diabetic patients are prone to injury, great care should be given to their footwear. Careful chiropody and appropriate padding in the shoes should be used. Many diabetic foot problems arise simply due to shearing forces in the foot during walking, which result in tissue disruption beneath the surface followed by a cavity, infection and an ulcer.
Medical Negligence and Unnecessary Amputation
Our specialist solicitors have handled many medical negligence cases involving diabetic patients. One of the single most common complaints is that the patient feels they have undergone an unnecessary amputation and that, with proper treatment, this could amputation have been avoided. Amputation is not an inevitable outcome of diabetic foot ulceration.
If the doctor has failed to examine the limb and failed to note the presence of an underlying circulatory insufficiency, this may well represent unacceptable medical practice. Continuing treatment when the medical records clearly illustrate a deterioration is, again, unacceptable. A delay in referral or a failure to appreciate the urgency of the situation may prejudice the outcome.
If you have suffered from diabetic foot and feel this could have been prevented, please contact our medical negligence team today on 0333 987 4161.
Common Questions Relating to Diabetes Misdiagnosis
If you or a loved one has suffered injury due to negligence and misdiagnosis please contact one of our specialist solicitors on 0333 987 4161 to discuss your claim.
In The News
GET FREE ADVICE
24hr Claims Helpline 0333 987 4161