A 42 year old woman should have received earlier blood tests that would have prevented a delayed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis of approximately 3 years. As a result of the advanced rheumatoid arthritis going untreated, she developed severe damage to her joints, particularly her hands, elbows and foot.

She was restricted in the work she was able to carry out and needed more assistance from her family with day to day tasks.

She would experience deterioration and with significant ongoing pain, became depressed. Liability was admitted and the case was settled for £165,000 on the basis of her symptoms and care needs having been accelerated by several years.