Claim Compensation for Diabetes Care Mismanagement or Negligence

Have you or a loved one suffered mismanagement of diabetes care?

If you believe that your diagnosis or treatment for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes has been mismanaged in any way, then you may be entitled to pursue a claim for diabetes mis-management.

In the first instance you have our sincere sympathy for any unnecessary, or exacerbated suffering you or your loved one has endured.

At Sheldon Davidson we put ourselves in your shoes and work to understand with full clarity and empathy the circumstances of each case. Through our experience, we understand the life-changing impact mismanagement of professional care and medical negligence can have on a person and their immediate family and we make it our mission to ensure that every Sheldon Davidson client ultimately feels that their voice is heard, justice is done and that they receive the maximum financial compensation available for the pain and suffering they have endured. 

Sheldon Davidson are the go-to law firm for care mismanagement and medical negligence claims in Greater Manchester.

We have the right blend of experience and expertise and this, coupled with our sincere and empathic approach, ensures our clients feel expertly represented and that, more importantly, they feel they have a genuine ally managing the legal process on their behalf.

For many people who have been injured, or who have suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence, one of the most important steps in any healing process is to have their voice heard and feel that justice has been done.

We fully recognise this at Sheldon Davidson and we pride ourselves on being able to support our clients to overcome such a crucial step on the healing journey.      

If you believe you, or a loved one has suffered Diabetic complications that should have been preventable with proper care then call to speak with one of our expert lawyers today.

After a free initial conversation, we will be able to advise you whether you are entitled to pursue a claim for financial compensation.

Diabetes in the UK today

At last count diabetes UK, have reported that there are now approx. 4.7 million people in the UK living with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. This equates to roughly one in every 14 people in the UK today, with this number set to reach 5,5 million by 2030. Both types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 are serious lifelong health conditions that require careful management to prevent life-limiting and even life-threatening complications. In extreme cases, circumstances can even prove fatal. Some of the negligence which can and does occur includes, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, sub-standard care and management, and poor care in the community.   

What are the two types of diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes: is a serious lifelong condition resulting from the body’s inability to make a hormone called insulin, which performs an essential job of allowing the glucose in the blood to fuel the body. Without the presence of insulin, glucose continues to build up and it is this build-up (hyperglycaemia) which can lead to dangerous, life-threatening complications. Since insulin is essential for survival, whole of life care and careful management of the individual is essential in order to keep blood sugar levels stable. For type 1 diabetes sufferers this means daily dosing of insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes: is again a serious condition where the pancreas is unable to make enough insulin to reduce the build-up of glucose in the body. For some people the Pancreas can eventually become so over-stretched in producing insulin that it starts to make less and less, resulting in even higher and more dangerous blood glucose levels. As with type 1 diabetes, it is this build-up of glucose (hyperglycaemia) and instability of blood glucose levels which can lead to life threatening complications without careful management.

What complications that can arise from diabetes mismanagement?

Without careful monitoring and the right remedial care, the affected person can suffer serious complications which can include:

Amputation: due to nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) diabetic sufferers often experience numbness in the feet. This can lead to injuries or ulcers going unnoticed, which can sometimes lead to serious infection. It is this that can eventually result in a toe, multiple toes, or even the whole foot, or lower leg needing to be amputated. According to figures reported by the NHS people with diabetes are 15 times more likely to undergo limb amputations than those who do not have the condition. For this reason, regular check-ups and professional care is required to prevent any injuries or ulcers from becoming infected.

Stroke and Heart problems: Diabetics are more prone to hardening of the arteries and it is this which makes them twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those without the condition. For this reason, anyone with diabetes who complains of symptoms which can be early indicators of stroke or heart attack should be admitted to hospital for appropriate tests without delay.

Vision problems: Similar to the nerve damage which can affect the feet and toes Diabetic Retinopathy is a problem that affects the blood vessels in the retina. Without regular eye examinations and timely diagnosis, it can lead to vision loss. For this reason, early detection, treatment, and proper aftercare is essential to ensure vision loss can be prevented.

Kidney Failure: Once again problems with blood vessels making the kidneys less efficient, known as Diabetic nephropathy can be a serious complication that can result from late or missed diagnosis. As part of routine aftercare Diabetic patients should have regular urine and blood tests which can assist with early detection of kidney problems.

Premature Death: if not caught early enough a number of the above conditions can become life threatening and in some cases, sadly prove fatal. For this reason, healthcare professionals recognise that proper due diligence and care, and attention is essential when treating Diabetic patients as problems left untreated only continue to escalate without remedial treatment.

In consideration of the above, if you believe that you or a loved one has suffered complications as a result of mismanaged care, missed or late diagnosis then call one of our expert lawyers today for a free initial consultation. We have specially trained Lawyers who have direct experience with such cases and they will be able to listen to the circumstances of your personal experience and advise with a high degree of confidence whether there is indeed a case to be answered.

What failures can occur because of diabetes Management?

Clearly not ALL complications occur as a result of failures by healthcare professionals, but any complications suffered that can eventually be attributable to a failure of care justifies financial compensation in the eyes of the law.

Some example scenarios where it may be appropriate to pursue a claim for financial compensation include:

Misdiagnosis: If your diabetes goes undetected by your healthcare professional despite symptoms reported by you, this can result in treatment to manage the condition being delayed and in certain cases can result in further complications developing. It also means that an on-going plan for regular treatment and the requisite annual checks cannot be initiated.  

Delayed Diagnosis: To avoid serious complications developing timely diagnosis is of the essence. Any time wasted can result in symptoms worsening and the person’s condition deteriorating. In the treatment of diabetes, it is of critical importance that your condition is regularly monitored, and any concerns are flagged and dealt with at the earliest opportunity.

Poor Care and Management: In cases where a complication is flagged but not treated adequately to prevent serious complications developing this would be seen as poor care and management. An example would be a foot ulcer that is flagged, but not treated properly, to such an extent and for long enough that the patient has to eventually undergo an amputation.  

Inadequate care in the Community: many Diabetics receive their on-going check-ups in their home via District Nurses. These patients are often the vulnerable and the elderly and as such it is imperative that those assigned to provide aftercare are properly trained in the diagnosis and prevention of the complications that can arise for Diabetic patients. In cases where under-staffing or inexperience results in complications going unnoticed, undiagnosed, and becoming worse and even serious, it is likely that a court will view this as negligent.

Making a claim for diabetes Mis-management

At Sheldon Davidson, we fully appreciate how daunting it can seem to embark on a legal case to pursue financial compensation. For this reason, all our lawyers are selected and specially trained to hold the client's hand all the way through the complex legal process and to provide the right level of guidance and reassurance at every stage.

We are passionate about what we do, and we have a track record of success, so if you believe you, or a loved one has suffered a case of diabetes mismanagement then pick up the phone and have that initial free consultation today. At the end of the conversation, you will have full clarity as to whether you do actually have a claim to pursue and what the next steps will be.

We will make sure you have this clarity at every stage. We are ready and waiting for your call. 

Why choose us?

Established in Manchester in 1997, we are a leading specialist medical negligence, accident at work and personal injury law firm acting for claimants who are victims of non-fault incidents.

Our expert medical negligence solicitors regularly act for clients across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield.

Our team of recognised Diabetes Claims Solicitors can support your needs wherever you live in Wales, England & Northern Ireland.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.

Initial advice is free so you have nothing to lose – but act quickly in case time limits apply.  If you'd like more detailed information about the claims process you can read our guide on how to start a medical negligence claim.