Medical Negligence

Diabetes Misdiagnosis Claims

Our expert team of solicitors is here to help if you’ve received inadequate treatment, a delayed diagnosis or a diabetes misdiagnosis. We have nearly 40 years’ experience supporting clients who have suffered due to a medical misdiagnosis, so rest assured that your situation will be handled with the care, compassion and expertise it deserves.

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What is diabetes misdiagnosis?

Diabetes misdiagnosis refers to a situation when a person is incorrectly diagnosed with diabetes, or where their diabetes diagnosis is delayed or missed entirely. There are a number of reasons why diabetes can be misdiagnosed, from incorrect interpretation of symptoms to confusion with other medical conditions that present similarly to diabetes.

This type of medical misdiagnosis is a form of medical negligence. Failure to identify diabetes or the mistreatment of diabetes can cause your condition to worsen and result in serious health consequences.

What are some examples of diabetes misdiagnosis?

The improper diagnosis of diabetes could include the following:

Failure to diagnose your diabetes, also known as a missed diagnosis
A delayed diagnosis resulting in your condition worsening due to late treatment
Misdiagnosing diabetes as another condition with the wrong treatment being given
Being prescribed the wrong medication to treat your diabetes
Incorrect diagnosis of the type of diabetes you have
Incorrect reading of test results such as blood tests

What are the potential complications of a diabetes misdiagnosis?

Failing to diagnose or treat diabetes can have long-lasting implications for your health. Some of the effects of diabetes misdiagnosis can include:

Heart disease, heart attack or stroke
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Nerve damage
Kidney disease and kidney failure
Pregnancy complications, such as increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth
Skin conditions and infections
Amputation due to circulation damage
Visual impairment

Why make a diabetes misdiagnosis claim?

Experiencing medical negligence in the form of a misdiagnosis of a condition can have a serious impact on patients’ lives and the lives of their families. If you think you’ve been affected by inadequate medical care, you may qualify for compensation.

While diabetes misdiagnosis compensation won’t change what has happened, it can help to aid your recovery as you move forward in life. Making a claim could help you cover the cost of future treatment, as well as any physical or mental therapy you may require. It can also help to cover any financial losses you may have experienced as a result of your diabetes misdiagnosis.

Raising a diabetes misdiagnosis claim can also help prevent other people from being at risk by holding the responsible party accountable for their actions.

How we’ve helped others

We’ve helped many clients who have experienced the impact of medical negligence due to inappropriate treatment or misdiagnosis of their diabetes. In one instance, a diabetic patient had to undergo a below-the-knee amputation as a result of improper treatment.

After suffering an injury to his foot, our client was advised that amputation of an infected toe was not necessary. Unfortunately, his condition continued to worsen and by the time it was eventually treated, it was too late. As a result, he had to undergo a below-the-knee amputation which meant he needed a prosthetic leg fitted and home adaptations.

Our solicitors negotiated compensation of £725,000 on our client’s behalf.

Why choose Bolt Burdon Kemp for your diabetes misdiagnosis claim?

We’re dedicated to helping people who have been affected by inadequate medical care or delayed or missed diagnosis. Here’s why you should trust Bolt Burdon Kemp:

Experienced: We’ve been dealing with difficult cases including diabetes misdiagnosis, cancer misdiagnosis and amputation claims for nearly 40 years.
No win no fee: We can take on your case on a no win no fee basis, which means you won’t have to pay anything if your case is unsuccessful.
Compassion: We know how challenging this process can be for people to contend with. That’s why we’ll always treat your case with the care and kindness it deserves.
Partners: We work alongside organisations such as Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA), Headway and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) so we can offer our clients extensive support.
Awards: We’re consistently recognised as one of the leading legal firms by Chambers & Partners, the Legal 500 and The Times.
Accreditations: We’re assessed and awarded under the Lexcel practice management standards. We’re also members of The Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme. See all our accreditations.
Trusted: Our customer testimonials demonstrate our commitment to clients across a wide range of cases.

Contact our team of legal experts today

If you or someone you know has suffered as a result of a delayed treatment or diabetes misdiagnosis, you may have a viable case for compensation. To find out if you’re able to make a claim, call us on or contact us online.

The majority of our diabetes misdiagnosis claims are funded by Conditional Fee Agreements, also known as no win no fee. This means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay anything.

Your initial conversation with us about your case comes with no cost and no obligation to proceed. If you’d like more information ahead of contacting us, take a look at our claims criteria and claims process breakdown.

Diabetes misdiagnosis claims FAQs

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that disrupts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Individuals with diabetes either don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to effectively utilise the insulin they do produce. This can lead to a buildup of excess glucose in the bloodstream, which can have severe long-term consequences.

There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: This is a lifelong condition where the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the body.
- Type 2 diabetes: This occurs when the body’s cells don’t react to insulin properly, or when the body is unable to produce enough insulin.
Women who develop high blood sugar during pregnancy can be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. However, this usually goes away after giving birth.

Whatever condition you may be dealing with, if you do not receive adequate treatment or your diagnosis is delayed or missed, you could be entitled to make a claim for type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes misdiagnosis.
What is the diabetes misdiagnosis claims process?
The thought of taking legal action can understandably feel daunting for many, especially if you are still dealing with the implications of a diabetes misdiagnosis. However, we’re here to help you. Our experts will be on hand to support you at every step of the process:
1. Get in touch with us for a free no-obligation chat.
2. We’ll let you know if we’re able to take on your case and you can decide if you’d like to partner with us.
3. We’ll undertake a detailed investigation of your case and decide how to proceed, including how to fund it. At this point, if you’re unhappy with the funding agreement, you can walk away with no charge for our initial work.
4. Once you’re satisfied, we’ll reach out to the person or organisation (the defendant) you’re claiming against. We’ll detail your claim and provide them with a set time to respond.
5. If the defendant accepts responsibility, we’ll negotiate your diabetes misdiagnosis compensation. If they contest responsibility, your case may go to court. However, the majority of cases are settled before reaching this point. We’ll be there to provide you with support throughout the process.
[Find out more about the process]
How is diabetes misdiagnosis compensation calculated?
Each case our experts deal with is different. That’s why your compensation will be calculated based on a number of individual factors relating to the severity of your diabetes misdiagnosis or the treatment you received.

These factors will include:
- General damages: Compensation related to the physical and mental impact your diabetes misdiagnosis has caused, and any lifestyle changes you’ve had to make as a result.
- Special damages: Compensation for any financial losses or expenses you’ve incurred as a result of your medical misdiagnosis or delayed treatment, such as loss of income or travel and medical costs.
Once we have all of the information regarding your case, we’ll provide you with an estimated figure.
Is there a time limit for a diabetes misdiagnosis claim?
Typically, there is a limit of three years to make a medical misdiagnosis claim for compensation. This can be categorised as either of the below:
- Three years from the time the diabetes misdiagnosis occurred
- Three years from when you first became aware of the effects of your delayed or missed diabetes diagnosis
If you believe you have a claim for diabetes misdiagnosis, even if it happened over three years ago, you should still contact a medical misdiagnosis solicitor as soon as possible. The specific time limits applicable to each case may vary and exceptions may exist, such as where the patient lacks the mental capacity to comprehend the situation or, regrettably, has passed away.

Another instance where the three-year limit may not apply is if you are claiming on behalf of a child under the age of 18. In this case, they’ll have three years from the date of their 18th birthday to make the claim.
Can I make a diabetes misdiagnosis claim on behalf of someone else?

If you or a loved one has been affected by diabetes misdiagnosis, you may be able to claim on their behalf. This could be because the person isn’t well enough to make the claim themselves, or because you are making a claim on behalf of a child below the age of 18.

Find out more information on being appointed a person’s litigation friend.
Can I sue the NHS for a diabetes misdiagnosis claim?

Although you may feel uncomfortable suing the NHS, it’s important to remember that you are owed a duty of care in its hands. If the expected level of care is breached, you are eligible to claim diabetes misdiagnosis compensation for the pain and losses you have experienced as a result. NHS Resolution is responsible for the management of claims made against the NHS and has a dedicated allocation of funds set aside for potential patient claims.

Learn more about making claims against the NHS.

Lianne Higgins

It is rare to find a solicitor who combines such personal touches and care for a client with outstanding quality of service. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had Gaggan and the BBK team by my side during one of the most challenging periods of my life.

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Jennifer Brissett

I cannot thank Bolt Burdon Kemp enough for their help dealing with my medical negligence case against the NHS

Hannah Travis dealt with my case she was very patient, she really listened to what I had to say and showed me empathy.

I was kept updated through every process via emails, post, phone calls, from day one to the end of my case. Everyone who dealt with me were very professional

I would recommend Bolt Burdon Kemp to anyone who believes they have a negligence case. They certainly went above and beyond my expectations

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keith monaghan

I can say to this point in case they have been there surporting me. Julia very helpful and friendly. And have organised well to get us over the line. We won our part 36 .so technically the case is over. I did take advice from them but feel in my case. it right decision. I realise they are a business and have to earn money like everyone . Everything they said. They would do .. Case took a long time .but I think this quite normal under our circumstances. I have been awarded compensation and im hoping they deal with swiftly and put the cherry on the cake
It is important they make sure this is done after all the hard work they put in and what I had to go through. Julia allways ask me what I wanted to do. Yes she would give me advice but bottom line It my choice.
I would advice anyone out there who looking for a good solicitors firm to speak to these guys. I'm actually 24 hours away on flight
So that a big time difference but they managed it.
So well done big Thanks
Bolt burden Kemp .special thanks to Julia for she did for me.

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Milo Apostolou

I approached this law firm when I needed specialised advice for a medical negligence claim , I would give more stars if I could , not only did they take the case on we also won triumphantly, I want to thank the whole team from Olivia , to Hockman , to molly , the reception staff , every member of that firm I spoke to were extremely professional.
Beautiful office,
Highly recommend this firm

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marilyn markall

Bolt bourdon kamp acted for me. Thay came in at the last minute so the case was difficult. They took it on against all odds. I had solicitor Heather petrie who was excellent she had a great understanding of my problems from a brain injury she was professional and sympathetic. I would highly recommend her. Later Hoffman wong helped the case. He was good too. I will highly recommend. Bolt budon kemp especially the solicitors mentioned. Heather also contacted me in her own time to keep me informed. I can't thank her enough at a difficult time.

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marilyn markall