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Mistakes during gynaecological care can have major consequences, from lifelong incontinence to robbing a woman’s ability to have children. If you or someone you love was affected by a negligent act, you may have a right to justice.
With over 30 years of specialist experience, our gynaecology claims solicitors are here to help you secure the compensation and answers you need to move forward. We provide sensitive, expert advice every step of your journey, giving you the peace of mind and financial security to take back control of your life.
Do you have a gynaecology claim?
Gynaecology covers the health of the female reproductive system. This means any injuries caused by the negligence of a gynaecologist, surgeon or another professional can have serious implications, such as incontinence, ongoing pain, infections and loss of fertility.
If surgical errors or inadequate care have affected your life, you may be entitled to make a gynaecology negligence claim. While you cannot turn back the clock, a claim can help you recover damages for the pain you have endured and support your long-term quality of life.
The specialist gynaecology claims solicitors for Essex & East Anglia
Since 1993, our reputable gynaecology claims solicitors have helped numerous women claim millions in compensation for the negligence they suffered.
We understand how distressing and personal these injuries can be. Our compassionate team works closely with you to understand your situation, and investigate all evidence to build a winning case. Working on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis and with 96% of our cases settled out of court, we keep you informed, comfortable and secure throughout the claims process.
What does our gynaecology claims process look like?
A free initial consultation
Call us, request a callback or complete our online form and we’ll assess if you have a valid medical negligence claim.
Funding your claim
Discover the ways we can fund your claim without you paying a penny at any stage of the process.
Investigating evidence
We gather medical records, witness statements and more to learn what happened to you and prove your claim.
Instructing independent medical experts
We work with impartial, experienced medical experts to establish whether your injuries were due to substandard medical care.
Valuing your claim
We assess your health and financial losses to accurately estimate how much compensation your claim is worth.
Presenting your case
We contact the Defendants and the Courts on your behalf to set out your allegations and receive a response.
Negotiating a settlement
We work to achieve a fair settlement for you outside the courtroom – this is how 96% of our cases end.
Preparing for Trial
If we must proceed to Trial, we fully prepare you for what to expect so you receive the right result in court.
What you need to know about gynaecology claims
What is gynaecological surgery?
Gynaecological problems can range from heavy and painful periods to infertility and hormonal problems. Issues affecting the female reproductive system are investigated and treated by gynaecologists, who may also perform surgeries or other procedures on this area of the body.
Gynaecological surgeries are performed for numerous reasons, including:
- Cutting, tying or blocking the fallopian tubes for contraception
- Treating heavy menstrual bleeding
- Removing fibroids
- Removing ovarian cysts
- Performing a hysterectomy
- Removing growths from the cervix
- Undertaking a cystoscopy
- Removing cancerous growths
In addition, because the reproductive organs are internal and many conditions’ symptoms are non-specific, a medical professional may perform a laparoscopy (involving inserting a camera through the belly button) to help diagnose. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment may include medication over time or surgery.
What kind of damage can be caused during gynaecological surgery?
Like any other surgery, gynaecological procedures carry risks. While most operations are performed to an acceptable standard and resolve a patient’s problems, mistakes can happen and cause injuries, pain and distress.
Avoidable injuries that can be sustained during gynaecological surgery as a result of negligence include:
- Injured femoral nerves
- Punctured uterine lining
- Damaged bladder
- Pierced bowel
- Injuries to the pelvic floor
- Damaged fallopian tubes
How can mistakes occur during gynaecological surgery?
Whether during laparoscopic, abdominal or vaginal surgery, mistakes can occur during any procedure on the female reproductive system.
A gynaecologist may accidentally injure a structure by failing to move it out of the way or by inadequately protecting it from heat. Often, these mistakes are noticed and corrected immediately, preventing significant damage. When these mistakes go unnoticed, this can lead to the patient later becoming very ill and requiring further surgery to repair the damage.
The longer medical mistakes are left undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the risk the patient’s condition worsens. While post-surgical monitoring can often spot signs of illness, failure to diagnose an issue caused during surgery may cause distress and damage.
For example, if an injury to the bowel was not noticed during laparoscopic surgery, this could cause a patient to become unwell and develop a level of faecal incontinence, peritonitis or even septicemia. This may then necessitate follow-up treatments and have long-term repercussions on the patient’s wellbeing.
What other types of negligence can occur during gynaecological care?
While many gynaecology claims are due to mistakes during surgery, other negligent acts can also form the basis of a claim, including:
- Mismanaged contraceptive procedures, such as hormone injections
- Prescribing the wrong type of contraceptive or other medication
- Failure to diagnose gynaecological conditions, such as cervical cancer or urinary infections
- Failure to follow up on abnormal cervical smear results
- Failure to successfully perform sterilisation procedures
- Missed or delayed diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy
- Misdiagnosis of a miscarriage
- Carrying out a procedure without receiving informed consent
What are the consequences of negligent gynaecological care?
If medical negligence occurs during a gynaecological operation or examination, this can result in potentially life-changing consequences. At a minimum, further procedures will likely be required to correct the damage, resulting in additional pain, loss of earnings due to time off work, and potentially the need for short-term care and equipment.
However, the ramifications of negligent gynaecological care can alter someone’s life long past the initial procedure:
- A patient can develop long-term incontinence, resulting in more frequent bathroom visits and potential accidents that make going out and socialising unpleasant
- Poor consenting for a procedure may cause a patient to become infertile when this was not necessary
- Severe abdominal pain can make day-to-day tasks far more difficult
- Peritonitis caused by an infection can result in organ damage and failure
- Septicaemia contracted due to surgery can lead to amputations and even death
- Damage to ovaries can cause the sudden onset of the menopause
As well as the physical trauma caused by substandard treatment, gynaecological negligence can have an impact on a person’s mental wellbeing.
An individual may suffer from psychological problems as a result of the pain and suffering they endure, while the ongoing effects may make them feel too embarrassed to go out or that they have become a burden on their family and friends.
How do I prove gynaecological injuries were caused by negligence?
Some mistakes will not have grounds for compensation claims as they may have been impossible to prevent.
For example, operating on a patient who has undergone previous abdominal or gynaecological treatments in the past may mean certain landmarks within the pelvis have moved. In this instance, damage during a procedure may be considered more excusable.
However, if a gynaecologist injures someone who has never undergone surgical treatment in the past, their anatomy is likely to be standard, and negligent acts would be harder to justify.
To determine whether an injury you received during gynaecological treatment was negligent, you must prove three elements:
- A healthcare professional breached their duty of care toward you
- You suffered pain, injury, loss or damage
- Your suffering was a direct result of the professional’s breach of duty
As medical negligence claims experts, we investigate all available evidence such as medical records and witness statements to establish what happened and assess the standard of treatment you received.
Our solicitors will also speak to impartial medical professionals to determine whether the actions or inactions of your medical professionals were reasonable.
If the treatment you received fell below a reasonable standard and you suffered an injury, we will work with you to pursue the gynaecological negligence compensation you deserve.
Contact our expert gynaecology claims solicitors
If you or a loved one suffered due to negligent gynaecological care and would like to speak to someone about your options, our team is here to listen and advise you on your next steps.
Lexcel accredited medical negligence claims solicitors
We are proud to be a Lexcel-accredited practice. The accreditation is a mark of quality and comes directly from the Law Society.
A recent assessment described us as a “Centre of Excellence” and we continue to operate to the highest standards across all main areas of our field. These include client care, case management, financial management, structure and strategy, people management, risk management, information management and file management.
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