Bowel cancer claims

Bowel cancer is a serious illness, and a delayed or missed diagnosis can have serious consequences. If you or a loved one has been affected by medical negligence connected to bowel cancer, you may be entitled to make a claim.

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Author

Alison Flaherty

Director of Clinical Negligence

Reviewer

Michael Blakemore-Carson

Senior Litigation Executive

Last Updated

16th July 2026

Can I make a bowel cancer negligence claim?

Bowel cancer claims can be made when someone suffers harm because of failures in medical care. This type of cancer is the fourth most common in the UK, with almost 44,000 people diagnosed every year. When symptoms are missed, misinterpreted, or a referral is delayed, the consequences can be serious and life-changing.

To make a successful bowel cancer negligence claim, two things generally need to be shown: that the care you received fell below the standard reasonably expected, and that you suffered harm as a direct result. Common examples include; a delayed or missed diagnosis, failure to act on symptoms, misinterpretation of test results, delays in referring you to a specialist, incorrect staging of cancer leading to inappropriate treatment and preventable complications during care.

We can also support families who have sadly lost a loved one due to bowel cancer negligence. In these cases, a close family member will usually bring the claim. We understand how difficult this is, and we’re here to support you through it.

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, it’s important to seek legal advice. In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligence, or the date you first became aware that negligence had occurred, to make a claim. There are exceptions, though. Our specialist medical negligence team is here to help you understand your options and guide you through the bowel cancer claims process.

Example of a bowel cancer claim

A patient visits their GP several times over many months, reporting persistent changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss. Despite these recognised symptoms of bowel cancer, their GP does not refer them for further investigation. By the time cancer is eventually diagnosed, it has progressed to a more advanced stage, requiring more aggressive treatment than would have been needed earlier. If the delay in referral fell below the expected standard of care, this could form the basis of a valid bowel cancer claim.

Related bowel cancer claims we support

Expertise you can trust

9/10 clients would recommend us
AVMA Panel Members
Over 400 specialists in our Medical Negligence team

What compensation can help with

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Funding your recovery and securing your future.

We also understand that for many people affected by bowel cancer negligence, compensation is about more than finances. It’s about getting answers, understanding what happened, and holding those responsible to account. Compensation can also ensure you have the financial support to access the care you need and to move forward with your life, whether that’s immediate costs or planning for the long term.

Successful bowel cancer claims may help fund:

Lost income, including future loss of earnings if your ability to work has been affected
Medical and care costs, both current and ongoing
Treatment costs not covered by the NHS
Pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life
Psychological impact and the cost of counselling or therapy
Home adaptations or specialist equipment if your everyday life has been affected
Travel costs related to medical appointments and treatment

Understanding the potential value

To give you a sense of what we have achieved for clients in similar situations, Holly Shuttleworth secured a £150,000 settlement for a 52-year-old woman who suffered a negligent delay in diagnosis of colon cancer, helping her cope with the impact of a permanent ileostomy. Kieren Smith secured £70,000 for a client whose colorectal cancer was missed on an earlier scan, causing a delay in treatment that led to a permanent stoma and an alleged 18-month reduction in life expectancy. Olivia Kilgallon secured £43,000 for a client facing significant challenges following misdiagnosis, enabling access to additional care and day-to-day support.

Understanding general damages and special damages

The value of a bowel cancer negligence claim depends on a range of factors, including the severity of the harm caused, how the negligence has affected your ability to work, your care needs, and the broader impact on your quality of life. A successful claim will cover general damages, which compensate for the pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life you have experienced. Bowel cancer claims also include special damages, which cover financial losses such as lost income and care costs – for your immediate care needs and future costs you are likely to incur because of the negligence. Your solicitor will work with you to build a case that considers the full impact on your life. Both types of damages matter, and we will pursue both on your behalf.

Specialist bowel cancer negligence solicitors

We specialise in complex cancer negligence, including bowel cancer claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your bowel cancer negligence claim?

Bowel cancer claims can be complex, and often feel emotionally sensitive due to the nature of the negligence and the outcome for the person affected. Having the right team around you from the start makes a real difference to the legal outcome and how you feel throughout. At Fletchers, our solicitors specialise in medical negligence, including bowel cancer misdiagnosis claims and delays. We combine legal expertise with genuine care, and will advocate for you at every stage.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist medical negligence solicitors with experience in complex bowel and colorectal cancer cases
Recognised as one of the UK’s leading medical negligence firms, including by the Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Negligence Team
Proven track record of securing substantial compensation, including settlements of £150,000, £70,000, and £43,000 in bowel cancer claims
We support clients not only in pursuing compensation, but in understanding what happened and why
We handle claims on behalf of individuals, families, and those who have sadly lost a loved one
Rated by clients for our compassionate, clear, and responsive approach
‘No Win, No Fee’, so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

Being let down by the medical system at such a vulnerable time can feel deeply unfair. You may have experienced life-altering physical challenges, for example, given a stoma, requiring ongoing treatment, or dealing with a diagnosis that came far later than it should have.

Alongside the physical impact, many people carry significant emotional and psychological strain. The anxiety of not knowing sooner, the frustration of feeling unheard, and the uncertainty of what comes next can all play on your mind at what is already a difficult time.

The financial pressure can also be considerable. You may need to take time away from work, whilst also relying on round-the-clock care, specialist equipment and private treatment. All of this adds up, and can cause real financial difficulties.

We understand this and we want to help you through the process. We will handle every part of your bowel cancer claim, keep you informed at each stage, and fight to secure the outcome that truly reflects what you have been through. You do not have to face this alone.

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FAQs about bowel cancer claims

What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the large bowel, including the colon and rectum. It’s the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with almost 44,000 people diagnosed every year. Early detection is key, as it often makes the disease significantly easier to treat.

Unfortunately, symptoms are sometimes missed or misinterpreted, or a patient’s referral is delayed, leading to a late diagnosis. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you may be entitled to make a claim.

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:

Changes in bowel habits, such as softer stools, constipation, or diarrhoea that is unusual for you
A change in how often you need to go to the toilet
Blood in your poo, which may appear red or black
Bleeding from your bottom
Feeling like you need to poo even after you have just been
Stomach pain
A lump in your stomach
Bloating
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue or shortness of breath, which can be signs of anaemia linked to bowel cancer

What are the common causes of bowel cancer claims?

Several circumstances can give rise to a bowel cancer negligence claim. Common causes include:

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of bowel cancer
Failure to identify or act on bowel cancer symptoms
Delays in referring a patient to the appropriate specialist
Misinterpretation of test results
Failure to recall patients for follow-up testing
Incorrect staging of cancer, resulting in inappropriate treatment
Preventable complications during treatment or ongoing care

If you or a loved one has experienced any of these, it’s worth speaking to us to find out whether you may be entitled to compensation.

How is bowel cancer treated?

Treatment for bowel cancer depends on several factors, including the size and spread of the tumour, as well as your age and overall health. You may be offered a combination of treatments, which can include surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.

Early detection is vital and can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment.

How long do I have to make a bowel cancer negligence claim?

To make a claim, you typically have three years from the date of the negligence, or from the date you became aware that negligence had occurred (known as the date of knowledge).

There are some important exceptions:

In claims on behalf of children, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday, so you have until their 21st birthday to claim
There is no time limit for a person who lacks mental capacity to bring a claim themselves
In fatal claims, you have three years from the date of death or date of knowledge, whichever is later

We always recommend getting legal advice as soon as possible. Acting early means the details are fresher, and it gives your legal team the best chance of gathering the evidence needed.

How much compensation could I receive?

Every claim is different, and the amount of compensation you may receive depends on the severity of the harm caused, the impact on your ability to work, your care needs, and how your quality of life has been affected.

Compensation is calculated based on general damages (for pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life) and special damages (for financial losses such as lost earnings and care costs). Your solicitor will provide a clear picture of the potential value of your claim once they understand your case.

What evidence is needed for a bowel cancer negligence claim?

Your solicitor will guide you through exactly what is needed for your specific claim. In general, bowel cancer claims will draw on your medical records, correspondence with healthcare providers, and the evidence of independent medical experts who can assess whether the care you received fell below the expected standard.

You do not need to gather this yourself; we will do that on your behalf.

Can I make a claim on behalf of a loved one who has died?

Yes. If you have sadly lost a loved one due to bowel cancer negligence, a close family member can bring a claim. You have three years from the date of death or date of knowledge, whichever comes later. We understand how difficult this time is, and will handle your case with the care and sensitivity it deserves.

How does ‘No Win, No Fee’ work for bowel cancer claims?

We handle bowel cancer claims on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis, which means there is no financial risk to starting a claim. If your claim is not successful, you do not owe us anything. If your claim is successful, you will pay a small percentage of your compensation as your solicitor’s fee. This percentage is agreed with you in advance, so there are no surprises.