Gynaecology Negligence Claims

Gynaecology is a branch of medicine that focuses on women’s reproductive health. Gynaecologists diagnose, treat and prevent conditions and diseases of the reproductive system.

They perform a range of essential services, including treating the reproductive organs and diagnosing conditions like endometriosis. Many will also deal with hormones, pregnancy and birth control while also treating women with fertility problems.

Gynaecologists play key roles in identifying and diagnosing cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Some will also perform surgical procedures, including laparoscopies, biopsies and hysterectomies.

All people have the right to expect expert care from their medical professionals—whether it’s private or NHS treatment. While gynaecology is a complex field, there’s no excuse for GP negligence. Failing to meet the expected quality of care can lead to long-term disabilities and even fatalities.

• Misdiagnosis: When a gynaecologist assesses a patient’s symptoms and makes the wrong diagnosis, it can have severe implications. For example, performing an exploratory procedure and concluding the patient has cysts instead of ovarian cancer.
• Delayed Diagnosis: Failing to identify and diagnose a person’s symptoms correctly could worsen the condition over time. For example, many forms of ovarian and cervical cancer are treatable if they’re caught early, but later stages are much harder to cure.
• Treatment Mistakes: Administering the wrong gynaecological treatment, performing incorrect procedures and failing to get consent all fall under treatment mistakes. This includes prescribing an unsuitable medication and failing to monitor the patient for treatment outcomes.
• Surgical Errors: Mistakes made during gynaecological surgeries can cause ongoing complications and permanent disabilities. Errors include leaving surgical instruments inside the patient and causing infertility. If a mistake occurs during surgery you could be entitled to surgical error compensation claim.
• Post-operative Complications: Inadequate care or monitoring after a gynaecological procedure leads to complications. While some cases might be minor, others could lead to severe MRSA infections or other complications.

According to NHS Resolution, there were 569 gynaecology negligence claims between 2018 and 2019. While the numbers were lower than A&E, obstetrics, general surgery and orthopaedic surgery negligence claims, gynaecology accounted for 5% of all claims.

Research from Target Ovarian Cancer says that 32% of women experience a delayed diagnosis, and 20% of these patients are too unwell to receive treatment.

Negligence from a medical professional can significantly impact a patient’s life. However, you can take back control by making a medical negligence compensation claim and holding the negligent party responsible.

Gynecological negligence often has lasting effects on a patient’s physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life. Each case is different, but it’s essential to remember that any form of negligent medical care is a significant issue, as it can cause patients to lose trust.

A gynaecological physical injury can result in lasting pain in the pelvis, back or abdomen. Many women require frequent treatment, including pain medication and revision surgeries. Other physical effects include:

• Infertility: Problems conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term due to former injuries. This can also result in emotional distress and financial losses if IVF treatment is required.
• Bowel and Urinary Issues: Some patients might experience frequent urinary infections and incontinence. Bowel problems, including constipation, can also cause ongoing complications.
• Disability: Severe gynaecological injuries can cause ongoing disabilities, which might impact the person’s ability to work or perform general tasks. There could also be higher risks of developing other conditions.
• Fatalities: Unfortunately, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and even endometrial cancer can cause premature death when the patient is misdiagnosed or receives a late diagnosis.

Many people focus on the physical effects of medical negligence without considering the emotional toll. Victims of gynaecology negligence might experience the following psychological symptoms:

• Anxiety and Depression: Dealing with a traumatic medical experience can lead to depression and anxiety. In severe cases, patients can develop PTSD, which often requires psychiatric treatment.
• Mistrust: Experiencing negligent gynaecological treatment can result in a loss of trust in the NHS or private sector. People might be less likely to seek support for their symptoms.
• Relationship Issues: Women who suffer injuries or complications due to their gynaecological treatment often struggle with body image issues, sexual dysfunction and a lack of intimacy.
• Financial Losses: Medical negligence can cause financial strains, ranging from travel costs and lost wages to long-term care and medical bills.

If you’d like to make a gynaecology negligence claim, you’ll need to prove that your injuries occurred as a result of negligence. The following components are vital to making a successful compensation claim:

• Duty of Care: All medical professionals have a duty of care to patients. If they breach this duty through poor treatment, failing to make a diagnosis or anything else, that counts as negligence.
• Causation: The medical professional’s negligence resulted in an injury or made your common condition worse.
• Harm/Damage: The patient experienced harm or damage due to their treatment.

The best way to establish whether you meet the eligibility criteria is to call 0800 234 6438 or fill out the online form for access to free legal advice. If the advisor thinks your claim will be successful, they’ll help you move on to the next step.

No win no fee medical negligence claims work differently to traditional solicitors. Opting for a traditional solicitor means you’ll have to pay an upfront fee, and compensation’s not guaranteed.

The high degree of financial risk means many people choose to claim compensation through a conditional fee agreement. These claims don’t have any upfront fees, and you’ll only pay the solicitor’s fee if they’ve successfully secured compensation.