Compensation recovered for the delay in diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes

Meg Pratt, specialist clinical negligence lawyer, acting for the claimant, successfully obtained compensation for the delay in diagnosis, and therefore management, of the claimant’s type 2 diabetes.

In the summer of 2020, Mrs N underwent investigations into a persistent, constant headache. MRI results indicated referral to both Neurology and Endocrinology.

During the endocrinology investigations, blood tests revealed an elevated HbA1c result (a test measuring average blood sugar levels), indicative of a potential diabetes diagnosis. Mrs N was not informed of this result and no follow up was instigated.

During the following months, Mrs N suffered a host of symptoms, attributable to uncontrolled diabetes, namely: lethargy, urinary tract symptoms and infections, loss of bladder control, thrush, weight gain and neurological symptoms, including dizziness and headaches.

In June 2021, Mrs N underwent a routine appointment in the endocrinology clinic. The treating doctor queried how she was coping with her diabetes, triggering the realisation she had not been informed of her diagnosis nor commenced on appropriate management .

The specialist clinical negligence team were instructed to bring a claim for compensation and did so on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.

Evidence was obtained from an expert endocrinologist/diabetologist, who considered there were failures to acknowledge Mrs N’s elevated HbA1c result from August 2020 and action this, initiating a diabetic review. Had this occurred, the claimant’s diabetes would have been diagnosed and she would have commenced treatment and management to control her condition. With this, target glycaemic control would have been achieved by approximately December 2020.

Due to the delay in diagnosis, the claimant’s management protocol was not initiated until August 2021, with target glycaemic control not achieved until November 2021.The expert concluded there were no long-term impacts as a result of the delay and, therefore, Mrs N’s case was limited to the 11-months of hyperosmolar symptoms attributable to her uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

Mrs N’s case was put to the defendant in a formal letter of claim.

The defendant admitted liability at an early stage and an out-of-court settlement of damages was obtained to compensate Mrs N for her pain, suffering and loss of amenity, as well as her past financial losses associated with the management of her undiagnosed condition for 11 months, including the care and assistance provided by her husband and the products purchased to manage the impact of her symptoms.

Meg Pratt  specialises in personal injury cases.  If you would like to ask Meg a question about a potential case, or if you have a general query about any clinical negligence, contact Meg Pratt at Thomson Snell & Passmore solicitors on 01892 701197 in confidence. We offer no win no fee agreements on the vast majority of our clinical negligence and personal injury cases.