Man misdiagnosed with fatal cancer seeks compensation after spending life savings
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 | 12:05 PM ET
LONDON (AP) – A man who said he spent his life savings after being told he had months to live is seeking compensation after doctors conceded they had got the diagnosis wrong.
John Brandrick, 62, was told two years ago that he had terminal pancreatic cancer, Britain’s Press Association news agency reported. He decided to spend his remaining time in style, quitting his job and spending his savings on hotels, restaurants and holidays.
A year later, doctors at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in southwest England revised their diagnosis: Brandrick was suffering from pancreatitis, a non-fatal ailment.
“My life has been turned upside down by this,” Brandrick said. “I was told I had limited time to live. I got rid of everything – my car, my clothes, everything.”
Brandrick said he did not want to take the hospital to court, “but if they have made the wrong decision they should pay me something back.”
