When you walk into a GP clinic or hospital in Shannon, Ennis or anywhere across Clare, you place your trust in the people meant to help you. You speak up about your symptoms. You do what you’re told. And you assume the system will do right by you. But for too many people across Ireland, that trust has been broken.
When you walk into a GP clinic or hospital in Shannon, Ennis or anywhere across Clare, you place your trust in the people meant to help you. You speak up about your symptoms. You do what you’re told. And you assume the system will do right by you. But for too many people across Ireland, that trust has been broken.
Ireland now has one of the highest cancer diagnosis rates in Europe and with it, a growing crisis in delays, shortages, and missed red flags. People are waiting too long for tests. Scans are missed. Symptoms are downplayed. And all too often, by the time the right diagnosis comes, it’s too late.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we know the damage a delayed or wrong cancer diagnosis can do, not just to your health, but to your life, your family, and your future. We’ve seen it here in our own community. We’ve sat across from people in Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Newmarket-on-Fergus and beyond who’ve been let down when they needed answers most.
This is where we step in. Our team brings over 30 years of experience in helping people who’ve suffered because of medical mistakes. We are not a distant, corporate firm. We are a local team who believes in fairness, in accountability, and in making sure your voice is heard, clearly and confidently.
If you feel something wasn’t right with how your cancer was diagnosed or treated, or if you’re still trying to understand what happened and why, we’re here to talk. No pressure. Just clarity, support, and straight answers from a team that knows the system and knows how to fight for what’s fair.
Call us today or request a callback. We’re ready to help you take the next step.
Cancer is one of the most serious health conditions a person can face. It happens when cells in the body grow in a way they shouldn’t. These abnormal cells can spread and damage healthy tissue, which can lead to serious illness or even death if not treated in time.
There are many different types of cancer. Some grow quickly, while others develop slowly over time. But regardless of type, early diagnosis and timely treatment make a world of difference. The earlier cancer is caught, the more treatment options you’ll have—and the better your chances of recovery.
Here in Ireland, rates of cancer diagnoses are among the highest in Europe. But with the right support, regular screening, and proper medical care, many cancers can be treated successfully. That’s why listening to patients, recognising symptoms, and acting fast is so important.
When medical professionals fail to do that, the consequences can be devastating. We step in to support those who’ve been let down.
Cancer misdiagnosis happens when a person’s cancer is missed, diagnosed as something else, or identified too late. Sometimes the diagnosis is entirely wrong. Other times, delays in testing or referrals mean the cancer isn’t spotted until it’s already progressed. In all of these cases, the person is denied a fair chance at early treatment—and that can change everything.
At Crimmins Howard, we’ve supported people across Clare and beyond who were told their symptoms were “nothing to worry about,” only to find out later it was cancer all along. We’ve also worked with clients who were told they had cancer when they didn’t, causing extreme stress, unnecessary treatment and, in some cases, long-term health consequences.
Misdiagnosis doesn’t always happen because a doctor made a careless mistake. Often, it’s the result of systemic issues like a failure to follow up on test results, not referring a patient to a specialist, or long delays in getting access to essential scans. But the impact is the same: you’re left dealing with the consequences of a delay or error you had no control over.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Cancer misdiagnosis can happen in public hospitals, private clinics, GP surgeries, and specialist centres alike. But you have rights. You deserve to know what went wrong and why. Our role is to help you find answers, get accountability, and take action if you’ve been failed.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ve helped clients from all walks of life who’ve suffered due to serious errors in their cancer diagnosis or treatment. While every case is different, the core issue remains the same, people being left in the dark when they should have been cared for.
Here are some of the most common cancer misdiagnosis claims we deal with:
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in Ireland. Thankfully, early detection often leads to successful treatment. But when warning signs are missed or follow-up testing is delayed, lives are put at risk.
We’ve supported clients who were wrongly reassured after presenting with lumps, pain or changes in breast tissue. In some cases, mammogram results weren’t acted upon quickly enough or weren’t communicated clearly. When this happens, precious time is lost.
Following the CervicalCheck scandal, many people are now more aware of the risks of screening failures. But mistakes are still being made. We’ve represented women whose smear tests were misread or whose symptoms were ignored despite ongoing gynaecological concerns.
A delay in identifying cervical cancer can lead to unnecessary treatment, reduced fertility options, or worse. We treat these cases with the care, privacy and urgency they deserve.
One of the most heartbreaking trends we see is when a patient knows something is wrong, but it takes months, or even years, to get a diagnosis. Whether it’s due to long waiting lists, lost referrals, or missed signs by a GP, delays in diagnosis cost lives.
We help our clients establish whether their delay was avoidable, and if so, what can be done to put things right.
Being told you have cancer is terrifying. When that diagnosis turns out to be wrong, the emotional toll doesn’t disappear. Some patients undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or other life-altering treatments—only to find out later it wasn’t necessary.
We’ve worked with clients who were traumatised by a false-positive diagnosis, helping them seek justice for the fear, disruption and pain they were put through.
A false-negative result means being told you don’t have cancer when you actually do. These cases are particularly dangerous because they delay treatment and give patients a false sense of security.
Whether it’s a misread scan, a missed biopsy result or a dismissed concern, we investigate thoroughly to understand what went wrong and why it wasn’t caught earlier.
GPs are often the first point of contact but they don’t always take symptoms seriously. One of the most common issues we see is a failure to refer patients for urgent testing when there were clear red flags.
Sometimes it’s because of pressure on the system. Other times, it’s down to inexperience or poor communication. Either way, if you weren’t referred for testing when you should have been, and it led to harm, you may have grounds for a claim.
Cancer claims are not built on hindsight. They are built on timelines. We investigate when the first signs were present, when the first concerns were raised, and when action should have been taken but wasn’t. These cases turn on delays, missed referrals, unread test results, or symptoms that were downplayed. At Crimmins Howard solicitors, we focus on the moment the opportunity to intervene passed. That is where the claim begins.
A delayed or missed cancer diagnosis is not just a lost chance, it’s a changed life. The treatment becomes more aggressive. The survival window narrows. The psychological toll deepens. We work to quantify all of that. Not just what stage the cancer reached, but how the delay affected your treatment options, your recovery path, your family planning, or your ability to work. We present a claim that reflects the full truth of what the delay has cost you.
These claims often involve multiple layers—GP visits, blood tests, scans, consultants. One person might have done their job, but the system didn’t. We work with leading medical experts who assess your care from start to finish. They help us identify where the failure occurred and how it led to harm. This is not speculation. It’s clinical analysis matched with legal precision.
Many of our cancer clients were told their symptoms were stress, menopause, IBS or “nothing to worry about.” We see this pattern often, especially among younger women, immigrant clients, and people with no family history. If you raised concerns and they were dismissed, minimised or pushed down the line until it was too late, we treat that with the seriousness it deserves.
We also represent families who lost someone due to a late or missed diagnosis. These are among the hardest cases we handle. We approach them with discretion, care and realism. Whether the person who was misdiagnosed is still with us or not, we help you bring forward the truth and honour what should have been done differently.
Cancer is already life-altering. Adding a legal process can feel impossible. That’s why we handle your claim with calm structure, straightforward guidance, and respect for your pace. You will not be rushed. You will be informed. And you will know what’s happening at every stage.
If you or someone you love suffered because cancer was not diagnosed or treated in time, Crimmins Howard will investigate thoroughly and act with purpose. We will give your story the legal strength it deserves.
Yes. If there was an avoidable delay in diagnosing your cancer, such as a missed referral, misinterpreted scan or ignored symptoms, you may be entitled to bring a medical negligence claim. We can help assess whether the delay was unreasonable and whether it impacted your treatment or outcome.
This is known as a false-positive diagnosis. If you underwent unnecessary treatment like surgery or chemotherapy, or suffered emotional distress as a result, you may be able to pursue a claim for the harm caused.
Not every misdiagnosis is grounds for legal action. What matters is whether another competent medical professional would reasonably have made the same mistake. Our job is to investigate what happened, consult with independent experts, and establish if the standard of care fell below what’s acceptable.
Yes. In most cases, you have two years from the date you became aware of the misdiagnosis to start legal proceedings. This is known as the “date of knowledge”. There are exceptions, especially for children or cases involving mental capacity, but acting early is always advised.
Compensation in cancer misdiagnosis cases can cover a range of losses physical and emotional suffering, cost of additional treatment, lost income, future care needs, and the impact on your family life. We will always work to make sure your full circumstances are taken into account.
Not always. Many cases settle outside of court through negotiation. However, if your case does proceed to court, we’ll guide you every step of the way and make sure you’re fully prepared and supported throughout the process.
Every case is different, but most take between 18 and 36 months. Complex cases may take longer, particularly if expert medical reports are needed or if the claim is strongly contested. We’ll keep you informed at every stage and work as efficiently as possible.
Yes. If a loved one has passed away because their cancer was missed or treated too late, their next of kin may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. We’ll handle the process with the sensitivity and respect your family deserves.
We’re not a faceless legal brand. We’re based here in Clare, and we’ve been helping individuals and families in this community for over 30 years. You’ll get friendly, professional service from people who understand what you’re going through, and who’ll fight to put it right.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a cancer misdiagnosis, you don’t need to face it alone. Crimmins Howard Solicitors will help you understand what happened, why it happened, and whether you have grounds for a claim. Our friendly, experienced team is based here in Shannon and serves clients across Clare and beyond. Call us today or request a callback. We’ll listen, advise, and support you from start to finish.
