Diabetes Claims

Diabetes is a health condition that directly affects the way our bodies convert food into energy. There are two types of diabetes:

Type 1: The cells that produce insulin (the key hormone in managing blood sugar levels) are targeted by the body’s immune system resulting in a complete inefficiency in the body’s capabilities of self-managing its blood-sugar levels.

Type 2: The body no longer reacts to insulin –  or –  not enough it produced to manage the blood sugar levels. 9/10 adults who suffer from diabetes suffer from Type 2 as it is usually born out of unhealthy lifestyle choices rather than the genetic predisposition of Type 1.

Gestational diabetes: When some women fall pregnant, the blood glucose levels get so high that their body can no longer produce enough insulin to absorb it all.

Misdiagnosis

In some cases, people have been given the wrong diagnosis in regard to which type of diabetic they are. Due to the difference in the types, the treatment pathways are very different and following the pathway for the wrong type of diabetes can cause some serious and exacerbated long-term problems.

Delay in Diagnosis

Particularly with Type 1 diabetics, the risk of immediate danger to their health is higher and so a delay in diagnosis could result in partial loss of sight, and in extreme cases the amputation of digits and limbs.

Type 2 diabetics are also at risk of these consequences; however, due to the volitional nature of Type 2 diabetes, the window within which to manage any problems that arise is longer than in Type 1.

Incorrect Medication

The conversion of food to energy is one of the most important processes in the body. So, the mismanagement of medication, whether it be outright incorrect, or more commonly, too high or too low – the impact on the patient’s quality of life can reduce dramatically as their energy levels oscillating which will directly affect their mood and enthusiasm.

Diabetic Retinopathy

It is NHS policy that anyone over the age of 12 suffering from diabetes should have their eyes screen-tested once a year to prevent the onset of diabetic retinopathy (the deterioration of sight.)

Hypoglycaemia

A hypoglycemic attack, or ‘hypo’, as it is more commonly known is where the blood glucose levels drop critically low causing the body to start shutting down and consciousness is lost. These events can be life or death situations depending on the severity.

Amputation

One of the biggest risks to amputation is having high blood sugar levels. This is indicative of the diabetic condition and therefore anyone suffering from diabetes has a much higher level of having limbs amputated than the average person. However, these are few and far between and would be the result of some heavily severe mismanagement.

If you have suffered from complications of diabetes, including any that have not been mentioned in the above as a result of mismanagement, then please get in contact.

If you feel that a medical professional has misdiagnosed your diabetes or there has been a delay in diagnosing your diabetes, you could be entitled to compensation. The team at Oakwood Solicitors will be able to give you free advice on the prospects of your case and whether you would be eligible to make a claim.

Ask our team about our ‘No-Win, No-Fee’ agreement.

Diabetic claims of this nature are subject to a three-year limitation period. This means that you will have three years from the date you became aware of negligence or in cases where the patient is sadly no longer with us – three years from the date of death, to bring about a claim.

These claims are complex and lengthy. Please do not delay, contact our specialist team as soon as possible.

We have a dedicated team of solicitors and paralegals who have many years’ experience between them in running cases of this nature. They are highly trained to deal with all aspects of clinical negligence.

We want to ensure that clients are not overwhelmed by legal jargon, medical terms that they don’t understand, and to allow the claims procedure to be as transparent as possible.

For some examples of Medical Negligence case studies with successful resolutions handled by our team, check out this article.