Gynaecology and pregnancy claims

Every woman at some point in her life is likely to need gynaecological care. This can be as routine as a smear test or as complex as infertility investigations or a hysterectomy. Despite how frequently women’s health issues occur, they can be very hard to discuss, particularly when complications arise leading to the possibility of a gynaecological negligence claim. This is where we can help.

Compensation for a gynaecological injury

Our lawyers have experience in dealing with these difficult issues and have ensured that many patients successfully obtain compensation. We are friendly, knowledgeable and will put you at ease so you feel comfortable speaking to us about what you have been through and exploring each step in the claims process.

Some of our clients have received incorrect advice on contraception, fertility treatment or the circumstances of a miscarriage or pregnancy termination. Other claims arise from different types of gynaecological care, including treatment for urinary incontinence or other urogynaecological symptoms, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, vaginal organ prolapse and menstrual disorders as well as hysterectomy procedures and laparoscopic surgeries.

Ectopic pregnancy presents very particular and potentially life-threatening risks to a woman. Our solicitors have acted in a number of cases of delayed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancies. Early diagnosis is imperative as ectopic pregnancy can carry with it a danger that the fallopian tube may rupture, which needs salpingectomy and can affect fertility.

In many of the cases we have dealt with relating to surgery for pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence, the impact on our clients has been devastating. Frequently there has been a failure to advise on conservative options before embarking upon surgery and on alternative surgical procedures as well as a failure to explain the risks associated with surgery, meaning that patients have been unable to give their full, informed consent. Negligent surgery has left them with urinary incontinence, abdominal and pelvic pain or unable to have sexual intercourse.

They are a very professional team with a balanced approach to the sensitive issues that arise. They are extremely professional, organised and very competent.

We also deal with pregnancy claims relating to stillbirths and wrongful births, which require sensitive handling. Our lawyers are experienced in advising on a wide range of birth injury and cerebral palsy cases in which there have been serious consequences for the child.

Our initial consultation in gynaecology and pregnancy claims is offered free of charge and without obligation. Funding options available to clients include no win no fee (conditional fee) agreements.

How we help our clients

Claims arising from ectopic pregnancies (salpingectomy/salpingostomy)

Unnecessary hysterectomy procedures

Misreporting of cervical smear tests

Cases relating to uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts

Mismanagement of menstrual disorders such as heavy periods and endometriosis

Cases relating to fertility investigations and IVF

Claims relating to ovary removal (oophorectomy) or ovarian torsion

Negligent surgery including treatment for uterine and vaginal prolapse

Cases relating to treatment for urinary incontinence

Uterine perforation caused during contraceptive coil insertion

Failed sterilisation

Gynaecological cancers – cervical, ovarian, vaginal, vulval and womb cancers

Useful resources

Making a medical negligence claim

Funding a medical negligence claim

FAQS on gynaecology negligence claims

The team were extremely professional and competent and I always felt that my case was in very good hands. Above this, however, I appreciated their kind and sympathetic manner through the process.

The team were efficient, organised and showed me respect throughout.

They are really excellent. They have real strength in depth; they treat every case with the thoroughness and skill it deserves.

I cannot speak highly enough of the level of expertise shown by the team at Penningtons.

The team provided an excellent level of written communication, keeping me fully informed and enabling me to make decisions based on a thorough presentation of the pros and cons of various options.

Recent work highlights

Fallopian tube torsion

Advising a woman who experienced a significant and traumatic delay in diagnosing and treating her fallopian tube torsion, resulting in its removal. We achieved a settlement that will allow her to obtain fertility treatment and counselling.

Delayed ovarian torsion diagnosis

Obtaining £75,000 in compensation for a young woman in her twenties who lost her ovary and fallopian tube following a delay in diagnosing and treating her ovarian torsion. The NHS trust admitted breach of duty.

Never event during hysterectomy

Acting for a woman who suffered a bowel injury as a negligent complication of her hysterectomy. The error, recorded as a ‘never event’ by the private hospital where she was treated, resulted in a temporary colostomy.

Negligent gynaecological care

Representing a claimant whose gynaecologist negligently advised that her only treatment option was a hysterectomy and also failed to respond to her post-operative symptoms after a surgical error. She lost the function in her left kidney.

Successive hospital failings

Settling a case involving multiple shortcomings by a hospital’s gynaecology team over several years, including inadequate advice prior to our client’s hysterectomy and a poorly performed oophorectomy.

Lack of consent to surgery

Achieving settlement for our client who underwent a subtotal hysterectomy rather than the total hysterectomy she had consented to. Her cervix was left in place leading to psychological distress and ongoing painful heavy bleeding.

Case studies

Our client underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy after her treating gynaecologist failed to explore properly other less invasive treatment options for her symptoms.

We have recently settled a claim against an NHS trust for a delay in diagnosing and operating on ovarian torsion. The patient was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain on her left side, vomiting and haematuria.

We have recently settled a complex case for a client who experienced a significant delay in diagnosing and treating her fallopian tube torsion. It was not until five days after her admission that she finally underwent laparoscopic surgery.

The claimant in this case received £60,000 for a private gynaecologist’s failure to amend her consent form and discuss with her the change in surgical procedure to a subtotal hysterectomy rather than a total hysterectomy.

We settled a claim against the gynaecology team of a South West hospital for alleged consecutive failings in our client’s management over a three year period.