Claims Against a GP for Ignoring Persistent Symptoms

Has Your GP Ignored Your Persistent Symptoms?

If you have persistent symptoms that do not go away, worsen over time or do not respond to treatment, you should be able to expect your GP to listen carefully and consider whether further investigation is needed.

It can be particularly difficult if you have attended your GP more than once, but your symptoms were dismissed, attributed to something else or treated without finding out what was causing them. You may have trusted the reassurance you were given, only to later discover that there was an underlying condition that should have been investigated sooner.

You may now be wondering why your symptoms were not taken more seriously, whether your condition could have been diagnosed earlier and whether things might have been different if your concerns had been properly investigated.

If your GP failed to appropriately investigate persistent symptoms and this led to a delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment or avoidable harm, you may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim.

Examples may include persistent pain, unexplained weight loss, ongoing fatigue, recurring headaches, changes in bowel habits, symptoms that worsen despite treatment or symptoms that do not fit the original diagnosis.

At Macks Solicitors, we understand how difficult it can be to look back and realise that you repeatedly sought medical help without getting the answers you needed. Our specialist medical negligence solicitors can listen to what happened, review the circumstances of your care and explain your legal options clearly.

Free Initial Discussion

For no-obligation advice and information, call our specialist medical negligence solicitors today on 01642 843 671 or complete our online contact form and we will call you back.

What Does It Mean If a GP Ignores Persistent Symptoms?

Persistent symptoms are symptoms that continue over time, particularly where they do not improve with treatment or cannot be explained by an initial diagnosis.

A GP should consider your symptoms alongside your medical history, examination findings and any previous investigations when deciding what care you need. A potential failure to properly investigate persistent symptoms could include:

• Dismissing symptoms without adequate assessment.
• Repeatedly attributing symptoms to a minor condition without appropriate review.
• Failing to reconsider an earlier diagnosis when symptoms continue.
• Failing to investigate new or worsening symptoms.
• Failing to arrange appropriate tests.
• Failing to refer you for specialist assessment when appropriate.
• Failing to recognise warning signs that require further investigation.

Whether your care fell below an appropriate standard will depend on the circumstances and the information available to your GP at the time.

In broad terms, a claim will usually need to show that the GP’s care fell below a reasonable standard, that this caused a delay or missed diagnosis, and that the delay caused avoidable harm or made the outcome worse.

What If I Kept Going Back to My GP With the Same Symptoms?

Repeatedly seeking medical help can be an important part of understanding what happened.

You may have explained that your symptoms were continuing, becoming worse or affecting your everyday life, but continued to receive reassurance or the same treatment.

If you attended your GP several times without your symptoms being properly investigated, your medical records may help establish:

• What symptoms you reported.
• How long you had been experiencing them.
• Whether your symptoms changed or became worse.
• What examinations were carried out.
• What diagnoses were considered.
• What treatment you were given.
• Whether tests or referrals were discussed.
• What happened at each appointment.

Looking at this information as a whole can help establish whether there were missed opportunities to investigate your symptoms or recognise that something more serious may have been happening.

Can a GP Dismiss Persistent Symptoms?

There can be reasonable explanations for symptoms that don’t require extensive investigation, particularly where there is no indication of a more serious condition.

However, if symptoms persist, worsen or change, your GP may need to reconsider the situation rather than continuing with the same explanation or treatment. For example, further investigation may need to be considered if:

• Your symptoms are not improving.
• Your symptoms are becoming more severe.
• New symptoms develop.
• Your treatment is not working.
• You repeatedly return with the same concerns.
• Your symptoms do not fit the original diagnosis.
• There are other signs that suggest further investigation may be necessary.

A GP does not have to identify the correct diagnosis immediately. The question is whether the care provided was appropriate based on the information available at the time.

What If My GP Kept Telling Me That Nothing Was Wrong?

Being told that your symptoms are nothing to worry about can understandably give you reassurance.

You may then stop seeking further help because you trust your GP’s advice. Discovering later that you had an underlying condition can leave you wondering whether your concerns should have been taken more seriously.

If you repeatedly reported symptoms that should have prompted further assessment, it may be necessary to look at what your GP knew at each appointment and whether the decision-making was appropriate.

Your medical records can be particularly important in establishing what you told your GP and how they responded.

What If My Symptoms Were Repeatedly Treated But Never Investigated?

Sometimes treatment may be appropriate without further investigation. However, if your symptoms continue despite treatment, your GP may need to reassess your condition.

If you were repeatedly prescribed medication or given the same advice without your ongoing symptoms being properly reviewed, it may be relevant to consider whether further investigation should have taken place.

For example, you may have repeatedly received treatment for indigestion, back pain, headaches or another common condition, only to discover that your symptoms were caused by something else.

The fact that you were eventually diagnosed with another condition doesn’t automatically mean that your earlier care was negligent. The circumstances need to be examined carefully.

Can Ignored Symptoms Lead to a Delayed Diagnosis?

They can. Persistent symptoms may sometimes be an early indication of an underlying condition. If those symptoms are not appropriately investigated, the underlying condition may remain undiagnosed until it becomes more advanced or causes additional problems.

The consequences will depend on the condition involved but could include:

• A delayed diagnosis.
• Delayed treatment.
• Symptoms becoming worse.
• A condition progressing.
• Additional complications.
• More extensive treatment being required.
• Avoidable pain and suffering.

A potential medical negligence claim would need to consider whether the condition should have been diagnosed earlier and whether earlier diagnosis or treatment would have made a difference.

What If I Was Eventually Diagnosed With a Serious Condition?

Receiving a serious diagnosis after repeatedly seeking help can be difficult to come to terms with.

You may look back at your previous appointments and wonder whether the signs were there earlier, whether your concerns should have prompted further investigation and whether your treatment could have started sooner.

A serious diagnosis does not automatically mean that your earlier care was negligent. However, if you had repeatedly reported symptoms that should reasonably have led to further investigation, it may be necessary to consider whether an earlier diagnosis would have changed your treatment, prognosis or overall outcome.

If you were eventually diagnosed after repeatedly seeking help for symptoms that were not properly investigated, you do not have to work out on your own whether more could have been done. Our specialist medical negligence solicitors can help you understand your options. Call us today on 01642 843 671 or use our contact form and we will call you back.

How Can I Find Out If My GP Should Have Investigated My Symptoms?

It can be difficult to know whether your GP should have done more, particularly when you were reassured that there was nothing to worry about.

Your medical records can help show what happened during your appointments, including the symptoms you reported, how long they had been present, examinations carried out, any previous diagnosis, treatment and any tests or referrals that were considered.

If you later received a diagnosis, your subsequent medical records may also help establish when your condition was diagnosed and how it had developed.

When investigating a potential claim, medical experts can consider the information that was available to your GP at each stage and whether your persistent symptoms should reasonably have led to further investigation or a different course of treatment.

You don’t need to know yourself whether your GP was negligent before contacting us. We can help investigate what happened and advise you on whether you may have a claim.

How We Investigate Claims About Ignored Symptoms

If you contact us about a possible claim, we can guide you through the process in clear stages. This may include taking your initial account, obtaining and reviewing your GP and hospital records, identifying key appointments and possible missed opportunities, seeking independent medical evidence and advising you on breach of duty, causation, funding and next steps.

What Evidence Is Needed for a Claim About Ignored Symptoms?

Your medical records will usually be an important source of evidence. These may include:

• GP records.
• Appointment notes.
• Test results.
• Referral letters.
• Hospital records.
• Prescriptions and medication records.
• Records relating to your eventual diagnosis.
• Details of any treatment you received afterwards.

It can also be helpful to keep a record of how your symptoms affected you, particularly if they continued or became worse over time.

Independent medical evidence may be required to establish whether your GP should have taken different action and whether this would have made a difference to your health.

Can I Claim Compensation If My GP Ignored My Symptoms?

You may be able to make a medical negligence claim if your GP failed to provide an appropriate standard of care when dealing with your persistent symptoms and this caused you avoidable harm. Compensation may include:

• Pain and suffering.
• Additional treatment you have needed.
• Rehabilitation costs.
• Loss of earnings.
• Care and assistance.
• Travel and other expenses.
• Future financial losses.
• The impact of your condition on your everyday life.

The value of a claim will depend on the circumstances and the extent of the harm caused.

Importantly, a GP not identifying the correct diagnosis immediately does not automatically mean that medical negligence has occurred. The evidence will need to establish whether the care provided was appropriate and whether a different approach would have made a difference to your outcome.

How Long Do I Have to Make a Medical Negligence Claim?

In most medical negligence claims, you generally have three years to begin legal proceedings. This will usually run from the date the negligence occurred or from the date you became aware, or should reasonably have become aware, that your injury may have been caused by medical negligence.

There are exceptions to the usual time limits, including claims involving children and people who lack mental capacity.

If you are unsure whether you are within the relevant time limit, our specialist medical negligence solicitors can advise you.

Why Choose Macks Solicitors?

If you continued to ask for help because something didn’t feel right, finding out later that your symptoms may not have been properly investigated can be incredibly difficult.

At Macks Solicitors, our specialist medical negligence solicitors understand that you should be able to raise concerns about your health without feeling that you have to prove something is wrong before you are listened to.

We will take the time to understand what happened, look at the care you received and explain your options in straightforward language.

If there are grounds to investigate a potential claim, we can help you obtain the evidence needed and support you throughout the legal process.

Contact Us

If you believe your persistent symptoms were not properly investigated by your GP, you do not need to know whether this amounts to medical negligence before getting in touch.

For more information about making a medical negligence claim, call us on 01642 843 671 or complete our online contact form and one of our solicitors will be in touch.