Ovarian Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affects women in the UK. Because it typically does not cause any symptoms, it can grow and spread to other parts of the body before it is detected. That’s why early diagnosis is crucial to ensure you have the best chance at recovery and survival.

If a medical professional has failed to give you a timely cancer diagnosis, you might be able to start an ovarian cancer misdiagnosis claim. You can claim compensation for the avoidable pain and suffering you endured, as well as any related financial losses and expenses.

To find out if you have a valid compensation claim for the misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer, do not hesitate to contact us by calling 0800 470 0474 for a free case assessment. If you would prefer us to give you a call,  use our online form to request a call back.

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Table of Contents

• What is ovarian cancer?
• Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer
• How is ovarian cancer diagnosed and treated?
• Can I make an ovarian cancer misdiagnosis claim?
• Types of negligence that could lead to a misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer claim
• Potential consequences of ovarian cancer misdiagnosis
• Can I claim compensation on behalf of a loved one?
• Making a claim for a wrongful death due to a misdiagnosed or late diagnosis of ovarian cancer
• Is there a time limit to start an ovarian cancer negligence claim?
• How much ovarian cancer compensation could I receive?
• Will a solicitor offer me a No Win No Fee agreement?

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that affects the ovaries, which are the female reproductive glands responsible for producing eggs and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. It is the sixth most common cancer in the UK, and it primarily affects women over the age of 50. Several factors may increase the risk of developing this type of cancer, such as older age, a family history of ovarian cancer, being obese and endometriosis.

Ovarian cancer can be classified into several types based on the cells where it begins:

• Epithelial ovarian cancer begins in the layer of cells that cover the outer surface of the ovaries and accounts for 90% of all cases.
• Germ cell cancer originates from the cells that produce the eggs and tends to occur at a younger age.
• Stromal cancers are rare tumours that develop from the connective tissue cells that produce the hormones.

Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer can be challenging to detect early because its symptoms are often vague and can be mistaken for other common conditions. The symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

• Pain or discomfort in the pelvic region or abdomen
• Gas, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation
• A feeling of pressure in the abdomen or pelvis
• Feeling full quickly when eating or losing your appetite
• Vaginal discharge or abnormal bleeding
• A sudden or frequent urge to pee
• A lump in the pelvic area
• Weight loss and fatigue
• Bleeding from the vagina after menopause
• Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse

If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider. Early ovarian cancer diagnosis significantly improves the chances of a successful treatment.

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed and treated?

If you present to your GP with any of the symptoms listed above, they should follow a specific protocol to diagnose your condition. They should start with a physical examination and discuss your family history and risk factors for ovarian cancer. If they suspect ovarian cancer, your GP should refer you to a specialist, who could:

• Request a blood test to measure the level of CA125, a tumour marker that is often found at the surface of ovarian cancer cells;
• Carry out imaging tests such as an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan to identify any masses on the ovaries and whether the cancer has spread;
• Take a tissue sample from your ovaries for a biopsy.

If ovarian cancer is diagnosed, it will also be staged depending on how far it has spread:

• Stage 1 – the cancer is only found in one or both ovaries
• Stage 2 – the cancer has spread to the pelvis
• Stage 3 – the cancer may have spread beyond the pelvis to the lymph nodes or abdominal lining
• Stage 4 – the cancer may have spread to distant organs like the lungs or liver

Treatment options for ovarian cancer will depend on its stage and other individual factors and could include:

• Surgery. Your doctor will remove one or both ovaries or also the fallopian tubes, uterus and nearby lymph nodes, depending on how much the cancer has spread.
• Chemotherapy. You will receive drugs that kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells, which can be injected or taken by mouth.
• Targeted therapy. These drugs target specific abnormalities in cancer cells with fewer side effects.

The earlier the cancer is found, the better the prognosis. A late diagnosis can mean more aggressive treatment and a lower life expectancy and could entitle you to make a misdiagnosed ovarian cancer claim.

Can I make an ovarian cancer misdiagnosis claim?

If you suffered avoidable harm due to a misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer, a medical negligence solicitor could help you make a compensation claim. The following must be proven to have a valid claim:

• A duty of care. This is a legal obligation that all healthcare providers have toward patients. They must meet the established standards of care and have the skills and knowledge expected of a specialist in their field.
• A breach of duty. If your doctor has failed to meet the expected standard of care, they breached their duty of care towards you. Examples include a failure to recognise symptoms, misreading test results and delayed referrals.
• Causation. Causation establishes the link between the breach of duty and the harm you suffered. In the context of an ovarian cancer misdiagnosis claim, it involves showing that the delayed diagnosis caused a worsened outcome.
• Damages. Damages refer to harm you incurred due to negligence, such as pain, reduced quality of life and financial losses.

If you are entitled to claim compensation, your solicitor will help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim. This could include medical records, testimony from medical experts, witness statements, photographs of your injuries and financial documents.

Types of negligence that could lead to a misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer claim

It is essential to understand that you can’t always claim compensation if your cancer is not diagnosed at stage one. For a valid ovarian cancer claim, your solicitor must be able to prove some type of negligence, such as:

• Your GP had failed to refer you for specialist tests when you showed worrying symptoms;
• Failure to follow up on abnormal test results;
• Failure to carry out an adequate examination or take an accurate history;
• Mistakes in interpreting test results;
• Your doctor diagnosed your condition as a less severe illness;
• Your test results were not correctly reported to your doctor or yourself;
• A failure to administer the appropriate treatment.

You could also make a claim if you were falsely diagnosed with ovarian cancer and received unnecessary treatment when you were suffering from a less severe condition.

Potential consequences of ovarian cancer misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer can impact your life in various ways:

• It can allow the cancer to progress to a more advanced stage;
• It can lead to delays in initiating the appropriate treatment;
• It reduces the chances of successful treatment;
• If misdiagnosed as another condition, you may undergo unnecessary treatments that have their own risks and side effects;
• A poorer prognosis and reduced life expectancy;
• The need for more aggressive treatment with more severe side effects;
• The cancer can spread to other parts of the body;
• It can lead to a loss of trust in the healthcare system, making patients hesitant to seek medical care in the future;
• It can be psychologically taxing, causing mental anguish, distress and anxiety;
• It can increase the overall cost of healthcare for you and the medical system;
• You may need to take more time off work, leading to substantial financial losses;
• In the most severe cases, a misdiagnosed ovarian cancer can become impossible to cure and lead to an untimely death.

If you make a claim for ovarian cancer misdiagnosis, your solicitor will ensure that it will cover all the ways your life has been affected by the medical negligence.

Can I claim compensation on behalf of a loved one?

If a friend or family member suffered avoidable harm due to ovarian cancer misdiagnosis, you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf. To start legal proceedings for your loved one, you must apply to the court to be named as their litigation friend and establish that:

• There is no conflict of interest between you
• You can make fair and competent decisions during the ovarian cancer claim

The litigation friend process is typically used when the injured party is a child under 18 or an adult who lacks mental capacity, either due to a brain injury or another condition, such as dementia.

If you make a successful claim in their name, a judge must determine that the awarded settlement is fair and covers all their needs. This will typically involve going to an Approval Hearing in court. You do not have to worry about this, as your solicitor will be there to guide and support you every step of the way.

Next, your solicitor can help you set up a personal injury trust to manage the awarded funds and ensure they will not affect your loved one’s entitlement to means-tested benefits.

Making a claim for a wrongful death due to a misdiagnosed or late diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Sadly, when ovarian cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, your chances of survival are significantly lower. While making a medical negligence claim for the loss of a loved one cannot ease your suffering, it can help you cope with any financial issues caused by their passing and bring some justice on their behalf.

Generally, anyone who classifies as dependent of the deceased can claim for the following:

• The financial benefits expected from their loved one, such as lost salaries, bonuses and investments;
• The services they provided in the household, such as childcare, gardening and other chores;
• Funeral expenses such as wreaths and the headstone;
• The financial losses and expenses incurred by their loved one before passing away, such as lost earnings, care costs and private treatments;
• A limited number of dependants may also be eligible for a bereavement award of £15,120 for pain and suffering.

Is there a time limit to start an ovarian cancer negligence claim?

The time limit to make a compensation claim for misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer is three years. Generally, this will start from the date you became aware of the misdiagnosis. A few exceptions may apply to your case:

• If the claimant cannot start a claim due to a condition such as autism, Down syndrome or Alzheimer’s, the limitation date is suspended, and a litigation friend can claim for them at any time.
• If you lost a loved one due to a late diagnosis of ovarian cancer, you would have three years from the date they passed away to start a claim.

Starting a claim early ensures the availability of evidence and will help your solicitor put together a strong case. If liability is accepted, you could also be entitled to interim payments to help you cope with any financial strain.

How much ovarian cancer compensation could I receive?

The amount of compensation you could receive for an ovarian cancer claim will depend on the type and severity of the harm you suffered due to the medical negligence. Your solicitor will calculate your potential settlement based on two types of damages:

General damages are awarded for non-monetary losses that directly result from the ovarian cancer misdiagnosis, such as:

• Physical pain and discomfort
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Reduced quality of life and life expectancy
• Loss of consortium or companionship
• Loss of ability to participate in activities and hobbies that you once enjoyed

Special damages are awarded for monetary losses and expenses incurred as a result, such as:

• The cost of private treatments
• Travel expenses to and from medical appointments
• Lost wages due to time off work
• The cost of care and assistance, even if provided by friends or family

Special damages are calculated based on evidence such as receipts and invoices, whereas general damages are based on historical cases and the guidelines from the Judicial College. You can find various examples of compensation awards for general damages here.

Will a solicitor offer me a No Win No Fee agreement?

If you have a fair chance of receiving ovarian cancer compensation, your solicitor will take your case on a no win no fee* basis. This service enables you to access the best legal representation without the financial risk of paying upfront legal fees. It works like this:

• If your claim is successful, a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation awarded will be deducted to cover your solicitor’s services. This fee, known as a success fee, is capped at a maximum of 25% of your settlement.
• If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay them anything, ensuring you are not left out of pocket.

With no win no fee, you also have After the Event (ATE) insurance against the potential costs of losing your claim, such as court fees, medical expert fees, the defendant’s costs and other disbursements. Again, this ensure you have nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful.

To find out if you can start a misdiagnosed ovarian cancer claim, call 0800 470 0474 to speak to a legal adviser or enter your contact details request a call back.

Last edited on 8th Aug 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.