Failure to Act on Blood Test Results Claims

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Has Your Doctor Failed to Act on Your Blood Test Results?

Finding out that abnormal blood test results were overlooked can be distressing and frustrating, particularly if it led to a delay in diagnosis or treatment. You trusted your healthcare provider to review your results, explain what they meant and take the appropriate next steps. Learning that this didn’t happen can leave you with uncertainty, unanswered questions and concerns about your health.

If your GP or hospital failed to act on abnormal blood test results and this caused your condition to worsen or delayed your treatment, you may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim.

At Macks Solicitors, we understand the physical, emotional and financial impact medical negligence can have on you and your family. Our specialist solicitors are here to provide clear, practical advice, helping you understand your legal options and supporting you throughout the claims process.

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

What Does It Mean to Fail to Act on Blood Test Results?

Healthcare professionals have a duty to review blood test results promptly and take appropriate action where necessary. A failure to act on blood test results may include:

Ignoring abnormal blood test results.
Failing to inform you about abnormal results
Not arranging further investigations.
Failing to refer you to a specialist
Delaying treatment after receiving abnormal results.
Recording results incorrectly.
Failing to report blood tests where required.
Losing or overlooking blood test results altogether.

Not every mistake amounts to medical negligence. However, if a healthcare professional acted below an acceptable standard and this caused you avoidable harm, you may be entitled to compensation.

When Can Ignored Blood Test Results Amount to Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional breaches their duty of care and that breach causes injury or a worse outcome. A failure to act on a blood test result could amount to negligence if:

Your blood test showed abnormal findings.
The result should reasonable have prompted further investigation or treatment.
No appropriate action was taken.
The delay caused your condition to worsen or reduced your treatment options.

Our experienced solicitors will review your medical records and obtain independent expert evidence to determine whether negligence occurred.

What Conditions Can Be Missed Because Blood Test Results Were Ignored?

Blood tests can identify or indicate a wide range of medical conditions. Depending on the results, failing to act may delay the diagnosis of conditions such as:

Infections
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Anaemia
Autoimmune disorders
Hormonal disorders
Blood disorders
Certain cancers

The impact of delayed treatment varies depending on the condition, but acting quickly can often improve treatment outcomes.

What Harm Can Delayed Action on Blood Test Results Cause?

When abnormal blood test results are not acted upon, patients may experience:

Delayed diagnosis
Delayed treatment
More invasive treatment than would otherwise have been necessary
Disease progression
Avoidable pain and suffering
Reduced recovery prospects
Long-term health complications

In some cases, prompt action could have prevented permanent injury or significantly improved the patient’s outcome.

If you believe your blood test results were ignored or not acted upon, our specialist medical negligence solicitors are here to help. Call us today on 01642 843 671 or use our contact form and we will call you back.

How Do I Know If My GP Ignored My Blood Test Results?

You may have concerns if:

You were later told abnormal blood test results had not been reviewed.
You repeatedly attended your GP with the same symptoms.
You discovered abnormal results only after requesting your medical records.
Another healthcare professional identified previously overlooked abnormalities.
Your diagnosis was delayed despite earlier blood tests showing warning signs.

If you are unsure whether negligence occurred, our medical negligence team can assess your circumstances.

Can Hospitals Also Fail to Act on Blood Test Results?

Yes. Blood test results should be reviewed and acted upon by the healthcare professional responsible for your care. This may include your GP, a hospital, consultant or emergency department, depending on where and why the test was carried out. Negligence may occur if a hospital:

Fails to review blood test results.
Does not communicate abnormal results.
Does not arrange appropriate follow-up.
Fails to refer you for further investigation.
Delays treatment despite concerning results.

Each case depends on the specific circumstances and the standard of care expected.

Can I Claim Compensation If My Blood Test Results Were Ignored?

You may be able to claim compensation if the failure to act on your blood test results caused avoidable harm. Compensation can help cover:

Pain and suffering.
Loss of earnings.
Future financial losses.
Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs.
Care and assistance.
Travel expenses.

The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life.

How Long Do I Have to Make a Claim?

In most cases, you have three years to begin a medical negligence claim.

The time limit usually starts from:

The date the negligence occurred; or
The date you first became aware that negligent treatment caused your injury.

Different time limits may apply in certain circumstances, including claims involving children or people who lack mental capacity.

Why Choose Macks Solicitors?

At Macks Solicitors, we understand the lasting impact delayed diagnosis and treatment can have on you and your family.

Our specialist medical negligence solicitors have extensive experience handling complex claims involving delayed diagnosis, failure to investigate symptoms and failures to act on abnormal test results. We will guide you through the claims process with clear advice and compassionate support from start to finish.

Contact us

For more information about making a medical negligence claim, you can call us on 01642 843 667; alternatively, complete our online contact form and one of our solicitors will be in touch.

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