Expert Gynaecology Negligence Solicitors in Manchester and Oldham
Gynaecology negligence claims require specialist knowledge of both medical procedures and the legal framework around clinical negligence. These cases often involve complex causation questions and sensitive personal circumstances.
At Garratts, our clinical negligence solicitors have represented clients in gynaecology and pregnancy negligence claims against both NHS Trusts and private hospitals. We instruct independent gynaecologists, obstetricians and other specialists to review your records, assess the standard of care and provide clear expert opinions on what should have happened.
For a free, confidential consultation, call us on 0161 665 3502, email [email protected] or complete our contact form.
What is Gynaecology Negligence?
Gynaecological treatment can go wrong without anyone being at fault. Complications happen. Conditions progress despite appropriate care. A poor outcome alone doesn't mean you have a claim.
Negligence occurs when treatment falls below the standard you were entitled to expect, and that failure directly caused or worsened your injury.
You may be able to claim compensation if:
- Your symptoms were dismissed or investigated too slowly, e.g. an ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst, endometriosis or gynaecological cancer that should have been identified earlier.
- Surgery caused avoidable damage to your bladder, bowel, ureter or other organs during a hysterectomy, laparoscopy or prolapse repair.
- A known condition wasn't monitored properly. An ovarian cyst or fibroid left to grow until it caused complications that earlier intervention would have prevented.
- You weren't given the information you needed to make an informed decision about treatment, including the risks, alternatives and the possibility of symptoms worsening.
- Pregnancy complications were missed or mismanaged, including ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or conditions requiring urgent intervention.
Types of Gynaecology Negligence Claims
Our team manages a broad spectrum of cases involving gynaecological and pregnancy-related negligence.
Ectopic Pregnancy and Medical Negligence
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. This is a medical emergency. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, a ruptured ectopic pregnancy can cause life-threatening internal bleeding and permanent damage to fertility.
Medical negligence claims for ectopic pregnancy may arise when:
- Warning signs such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or shoulder tip pain are dismissed or misdiagnosed
- Pregnancy is confirmed but the location isn't investigated with appropriate urgency
- Ultrasound scans are not performed or are misinterpreted
- Treatment is delayed, leading to rupture and emergency surgery
- Unnecessary loss of a fallopian tube occurs due to delayed intervention
These failures can result in loss of fertility, psychological trauma and, in severe cases, loss of life.
Pregnancy Negligence
Pregnancy requires careful monitoring and timely intervention when complications arise. Pregnancy negligence claims may involve:
- Failure to diagnose or manage pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or placenta praevia
- Delays in recognising signs of miscarriage or incomplete miscarriage
- Inadequate monitoring of high-risk pregnancies
- Failure to identify chromosomal abnormalities when screening was indicated
- Errors during procedures such as amniocentesis or cervical cerclage
Gynaecological Surgical Errors
Gynaecological surgery carries inherent risks, but you may be able to claim when:
- The bladder, bowel, ureter or other organs are damaged during surgery
- Surgical instruments or swabs are left inside the body
- The wrong procedure is performed or the wrong site is operated on
- Post-operative complications such as infection, bleeding or adhesions are not identified and managed promptly
- Mesh or tape procedures (such as TVT for incontinence) result in complications that weren't properly explained
Delayed Diagnosis of Gynaecological Conditions
The failure to diagnose gynaecological conditions in a timely manner can have serious consequences. We handle claims where:
- Ovarian, cervical or uterine cancer isn't identified early enough for curative treatment
- Endometriosis is dismissed as normal period pain, delaying diagnosis by years
- Ovarian cysts are not monitored appropriately, leading to complications requiring more invasive surgery
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) isn't diagnosed, affecting fertility treatment options
- Abnormal smear results are not followed up correctly
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
Before any gynaecological procedure, you should be given clear information about the risks, benefits and alternative treatments. Consent failures occur when:
- Significant risks of a procedure are not explained
- Alternative treatments, including conservative management, are not discussed
- You are told a procedure will fix multiple problems when the evidence does not support this
- The possibility of symptoms worsening isn't mentioned
Case Studies
We have successfully represented clients in a range of gynaecology negligence claims. Here are two recent examples:
Failure to Monitor Ovarian Cyst
Our client had a 2cm ovarian cyst identified in 2015. Standard practice requires monitoring to track any changes in size. That monitoring never happened. Over the following years, the cyst grew to over 8cm, causing prolonged and unnecessary pain.
We obtained independent expert evidence confirming that the cyst should have been monitored in line with clinical guidelines. The expert confirmed that with appropriate follow-up, the cyst would have been surgically removed before it became symptomatic.
We secured £20,000 in compensation for our client's avoidable pain and suffering. Read the full case study here.
Delayed Surgery for Endometriosis
Our client had severe endometriosis requiring specialist surgery. She was told explicitly that an endometriosis specialist would need to perform the procedure. When she was admitted for surgery, it was abandoned because the surgeon assigned was a general gynaecologist who recognised the case was beyond their expertise.
The hospital should have known this from the outset. Instead, our client faced a significant further wait while her symptoms persisted.
We obtained supportive medical evidence and secured an early admission of liability from the Trust, leading to a swift settlement of £15,000 in compensation.
Read the full case study here.
What Compensation Can You Claim?
Compensation reflects the harm caused by the negligence. It is usually split into two categories:
Pain and suffering
Physical and psychological harm caused by the negligence, including the impact on fertility, chronic pain, the need for further surgery, psychological effects such as anxiety and depression, and the effect on intimate relationships.
Financial losses
Past and future expenses, including loss of earnings, costs for private treatment or fertility treatment such as IVF, counselling, travel to appointments, and care provided by family members.
How to Prove a Gynaecology Negligence Claim
The following legal tests must be satisfied:
Breach of duty
We must show that the treatment you received fell below the standard expected of a competent healthcare professional. This might involve a GP who should have referred you, a surgeon who caused avoidable damage, or a hospital that failed to monitor your condition.
Causation
We must show that this failure caused you avoidable harm. We instruct independent gynaecologists and other specialists to analyse your records and provide expert opinions on whether earlier or different treatment would have led to a better outcome.
Time Limits for Gynaecology Claims
You generally have three years from the date you became aware (or should reasonably have become aware) that negligence may have caused your harm. This isn't always the date of the original treatment.
If you're unsure whether you're still within time, contact us. Exceptions exist, and we can advise on your specific situation.
How to Fund Your Claim
We offer No Win No Fee agreements for the majority of gynaecology negligence claims.
- No upfront legal fees
- If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing
- If you win, a success fee is deducted from your compensation, capped and agreed in advance
We'll also check whether you have legal expenses insurance that could contribute to funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if what happened was negligence?
You may not know yet, and that's normal. Most people who contact us have questions rather than certainty. We obtain your medical records and instruct independent experts to review them. Only then can we say whether your care fell below acceptable standards and whether it caused you avoidable harm.
Can I claim if the negligence affected my fertility?
Yes. Claims involving loss of fertility or reduced fertility are among the most serious gynaecology negligence cases we handle. Compensation can include the cost of fertility treatment such as IVF, as well as damages for the emotional impact of being unable to conceive naturally.
How long will my claim take?
Gynaecology negligence claims typically take two to four years. They require detailed expert evidence on both the standard of care and the impact of the negligence. We won't rush to settle until we fully understand the harm you've suffered.
Will I have to go to court?
Most clinical negligence claims settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as though it will go to trial, which strengthens your negotiating position. If a fair settlement can't be reached, we have the expertise to take your case to trial.
