Ectopic Pregnancy Medical Negligence
We understand that experiencing an ectopic pregnancy can be traumatic, particularly if there were delays in diagnosis or concerns about the care you received.
If you've experienced a missed, delayed or a misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy, you may be able to make an medical negligence claim. Our specialist solicitors can help you understand what happened, your legal rights, and advise you on whether you may be entitled to compensation.
What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg ends up implanting itself outside the womb, most commonly in a fallopian tube. Sadly, this type of pregnancy cannot develop normally and can become a life-threatening medical emergency if left untreated.
Early diagnosis is essential to prevent serious complications such as rupture of the fallopian tube, internal bleeding and long-term fertility issues.
According to the NHS, around 1 in 90 pregnancies in the UK is ectopic, this is around 11,000 pregnancies a year.
Common symptoms include:
- A missed period and other common signs of pregnancy
- Sharp lower tummy pain down one side
- Lower back pain
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Shoulder pain, dizziness, weakness or fainting
What is Ectopic Pregnancy Negligence?
Although uncommon, there are, unfortunately, instances where medical professionals make mistakes when diagnosing or treating ectopic pregnancy.
Common examples of ectopic pregnancy negligence:
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Missed ectopic pregnancy – Pregnancy scans are misread or symptoms overlooked, for example, mistaking an ectopic pregnancy for a miscarriage or normal pregnancy.
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Misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy – Symptoms are misinterpreted; for instance, shoulder pain may be diagnosed as another condition instead of internal bleeding from an ectopic pregnancy.
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Delayed diagnosis or referral – Late recognition increases the risk of complications and emergency surgery.
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Failure to investigate symptoms – Abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and other warning signs are not properly assessed.
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Surgical errors – Mistakes during surgery to remove the egg or fallopian tube, including incomplete procedures or poor post-operative care.
- Surgical negligence - resulting in serious injury or in rare cases, death.
It is the duty of medical professionals to ensure their patients receive the appropriate care. If that duty was breached and you were a victim of medical negligence or suffered a preventable rupture, you may wish to seek answers and pursue a claim for negligent medical care.
Can I Make an Ectopic Pregnancy Claim?
If you have suffered harm due to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or surgical errors, you could be eligible for compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of fertility or reproductive organs
- Emotional distress, trauma, or counselling costs
- Financial losses, including loss of earnings
- We have successfully handled cases where negligence led to:
- Ruptured fallopian tubes
- Emergency surgery
- Long-term fertility issues
- Emotional and psychological trauma
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation and handle most cases on a No Win, No Fee basis, so you can pursue your claim with no upfront costs or financial risk.
Our Successful Ectopic Pregnancy Cases
Our solicitors have successfully represented many clients in ectopic pregnancy negligence claims. Examples include:
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£392,000 – Compensation for a family after a failed keyhole procedure to remove an ectopic pregnancy tragically resulted in fatal bleeding during surgery.
- £114,000 – Award for a 32-year-old woman after repeated hospital visits failed to identify an ectopic pregnancy, leading to major surgery and permanent infertility.
- £35,350 – Settlement for a 42-year-old woman after hospital staff discharged her despite severe abdominal pain, resulting in delayed diagnosis and emergency surgery.
If you have sadly lost a loved one due to ectopic pregnancy negligence, we have put together numerous Help and Advice Guides for fatal cases, and our team is here to listen to your experience and figure out how we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
How Our Ectopic Pregnancy Solicitors Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a missed or delayed diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy, our specialist solicitors can:
- Explain your legal options in clear, easy-to-understand language
- Help you understand the compensation you could be entitled to
- Guide you through the claims process from start to finish
If you feel that you or have been victim to ectopic pregnancy negligence and have suffered an avoidable injury as a result, please contact us and we can discuss your concerns in a confidential manner. Our experienced, caring team has over 30 years of experience working with clients on birth injury negligence cases, and so are well-equipped to help you bring a successful claim.
How We Handle Ectopic Pregnancy Negligence Claims Process
We understand that an ectopic pregnancy can be frightening and overwhelming, particularly when medical care has failed you. Our team is here to make the claims process as straightforward as possible and while working to secure the compensation you deserve.
- Initial discussion: A free, no-obligation chat to understand what happened and how it has affected you.
- Investigation: We review your situation, gather evidence and consult independent medical and legal experts.
- Representation: We act on your behalf while keeping you informed at every stage of the process.
- Ongoing Guidance: From advice on your rights to help with compensation calculations, our team is here to secure the best possible outcome.
- Conditional Fee Agreement: We also offer No Win, No Fee agreements, making the process as low-risk and straightforward as possible.