Dermatology / Skin Cancer claims

Get help today with your Dermatology/Skin Cancer Claims
Request a Call
Home » Medical Negligence Solicitors » Dermatology / Skin Cancer claims

The most common dermatology claims arise as the result of a delay in the correct diagnosis of skin cancer and adverse reactions to medications.

Other such cases can however include occupational dermatitis and complications following treatment such as Cryotherapy or Photochemotherapy.

Dermatology & Skin Cancer Claims

Skin Cancer and Melanoma Misdiagnosis

The most common dermatology claims arise as the result of a delay in the correct diagnosis of a skin tumour. A failure to diagnose skin cancer or a delay in diagnosing skin cancer can reduce the treatment options available and affect your prognosis.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and it is an abnormal growth of skin cells which form a mass called a tumour. It normally develops on skin which has been exposed to the sun but can occur on areas not exposed to sunlight also.

There are a number of skin cancers which can develop over time, including:

$
Malignant Melanoma – this affects the pigment cells which gives skin its colour. This type of skin cancer accounts for approximately 1% of all skin cancers and is the most serious type of skin cancer.
$
Squamous Cell Carcinoma – this type of cancer is mainly caused by sun exposure to the squamous cells of the epidermis. It can also develop on skin that has been burned, damaged by chemicals or exposed to radiation from x-rays for example.
$
Basal Cell Carcinoma – approximately 80% of skin cancers develop from these cells. Basal cells are the round cells found in the lower epidermis. It is mainly caused by sun exposure.
$
Merkel cell cancer – this is a highly aggressive, rare cancer which starts beneath the skin and in the hair follicles. It may also be called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin.

The misdiagnosis of these skin cancers account for most of the dermatology related medical negligence cases in Ireland.

Examples of medical negligence relating to skin cancer include:

  • Failure to identify changes to the size, shape and colour of a mole
  • Failure to refer a patient to a specialist for further investigations
  • Failure to report on a cancer biopsy or test
  • Failure to remove a cancerous lesion correctly
  • Failure to diagnose symptoms of skin cancer before it spreads to other parts of the body.

For more information about how we can help you with medical negligence claims, please contact Rachael Liston on 01-9123240 or email info@rachaelliston.ie

Adverse Reactions to Medications

There can be a large spectrum of reactions associated with medication errors and it is important that the drug causing the reaction is identified quickly so as to alleviate and cease symptoms.

The most common cases arise from use of the following:

Roaccutane

One of the most common treatments for acne is Isotretinoin (Roaccutane). There are however known complications with this treatment including for example dry skin, tiredness, muscle aches, pains, mood changes. As such, patients undergoing this type of treatment should be monitored for the development of any of these complications. Isotretinoin can also cause fetal abnormalities therefore careful monitoring and pregnancy prevention programmes should be established.

Methotrexate

Methotrexate which is often used to treat acne and psoriasis. As in the case of Roaccutane, the use of Methotrexate may result in significant complications therefore it is important that patients are closely monitored.

Cryotherapy / Phototherapy

Cryotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy diseased tissue. It was often used to remove warts however is not as common as it has been in years gone by.

Complications of cryotherapy can result in conditions akin to frostbite and may leave a patient with scarring or a ring of warts around the wart that was to be treated in the first instance.

Overuse of PUVA (photochemotherapy) on the other hand can result in severe burns and may cause significant scarring requiring skin grafting.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma Gangrenosum is a rare but serious condition that can causes large ulcers to develop on the skin, most often on the legs. The exact causes of Pyoderma Gangrenosum are unknown, but it appears to be a disorder of the immune system. Any delay in diagnosis and/or inappropriate treatment can have serious clinical consequences.

The consequences of a dermatology related medical negligence case can vary significantly in severity, from superficial scarring to severe ulceration and may even result in death, particularly in cases of misdiagnosed skin cancers.

Our leading medical negligence lawyers can advise you regarding a potential medical negligence claim as a result of a diagnosis of skin cancer. If you wish to speak to a member of our team, please contact us on 01-9123240 or email us on info@listonflavin.ie

Types of Medical Negligence Claims

Brain Injury Claims

Brain injuries can have a devastating effect on an individual and their family, particularly if the injuries are as a result of medical negligence. Brain injuries can be catastrophic and result in traumatic and life-changing injuries.

READ MORE

Stroke Misdiagnosis Claims

A stroke can occur when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or reduced, preventing the brain tissue getting the oxygen it needs. Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential.

READ MORE

Birth Injury to Mother Claims
For most women, having a baby is a positive experience and they leave hospital having received excellent care.

Unfortunately, when something goes wrong or where negligence occurs, before, during or after childbirth, it can result in very serious physical and psychological injuries.

READ MORE

Birth Injury to Baby Claims
If your baby has been injured due to mistakes or errors by doctors or midwives before, during or after giving birth then you may be entitled to make a claim for medical negligence.

READ MORE

Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Claims
If your baby died due to hospital negligence then you will have many unanswered questions as to what caused the death of your baby.

READ MORE

Gynaecology Claims

Gynaecologists are doctors who specialise in investigating, diagnosing, and treating disorders of the female reproductive system.

READ MORE

Misdiagnosis Claims

Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor or medical professional fails to accurately diagnose a patient. It can arise when there has been a incorrect or delayed diagnosis of a medical condition such as cancer, meningitis, diabetes, heart disease or head injuries.

READ MORE

A&E Negligence Claims

A&E departments deal with many different types of medical emergencies. These departments are highly pressurised and emergency care can sometimes go wrong and cause serious injury to the patient. Accident and emergency claims can arise where negligent delay or incorrect medical treatment results in the patient suffering from illness or injury, which would not have occurred but for the negligent care.

READ MORE

Dental Negligence Claims

If your dentist has made a mistake or an error whilst treating or diagnosing a dental issue then you may have a claim for dental negligence.

READ MORE

Fatal Claims
If the loss of a loved one was a result of a medical mistake or error, then you may be able to pursue a fatal claim on you and your family’s behalf.

READ MORE

Cauda Equina Claims

Cauda Equina Syndrome is a medical emergency and needs to be treated urgently to avoid long-term irreparable neurological damage. If your doctor has failed to recognise the symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome and failed to refer you for emergency treatment, then it is possible that you have a claim for medical negligence.

READ MORE

Surgical Injury Claims

Surgical negligence claims arise when mistakes occur during surgery which result in the patient being injured.

READ MORE

Spinal Injury Claims
Spinal injury can be caused as result of a delayed or missed diagnoses or during routine surgery. Where the injury is caused because of negligence, it may be possible to make a spinal injury claim with Liston Flavin Solicitors.

READ MORE

Defective Medical Device Claims
If a medical device is defective it can cause serious harm to patients. It can also make a condition worse and necessitate additional surgery.

Despite strict standards and rigorous testing of medical devices, sometimes products are defective and can cause serious personal injury. This may require a patient having to undergo further surgery to remove and replace the defective medical device.

READ MORE

Nursing Home Claims

Some of the most vulnerable in society reside in care homes and nursing homes and whilst most people who reside there receive an excellent level of care. There are exceptions, however, where failings in care by the staff who are responsible for caring for the vulnerable and elderly results in poor care and medical treatment which leads to injury and can tragically lead to death. This can result in a claim for medical negligence.

READ MORE

Covid 19 Claims
Non-Covid patients are at risk of serious harm or death because of a delay in accessing treatment or medical services during the pandemic.

If you have suffered from unnecessary illness or harm because of a delay in accessing the required medical care, then you may have a claim for medical negligence.

READ MORE

GP Claims
When we feel unwell, we generally go to our GP and on the most part patients receive exceptional care. Sometimes, however, symptoms are missed, and doctors fail to diagnose or refer patients for further treatment.

GP’s play an important role in ensuring that patients are assessed appropriately, prescribed the correct treatment, and referred on for specialist care without delay.

If a GP makes a mistake which causes a patient to suffer unnecessary pain and financial loss, it may be possible to pursue a claim for medical negligence.

READ MORE

Cosmetic Surgery Claims
Cosmetic surgery mistakes can be devastating, both physically and mentally. Where a procedure goes wrong or where a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist makes a mistake which causes an injury then it is possible to pursue a cosmetic surgery claim.

READ MORE