Gynaecology Medical Negligence Solicitors - Injury Compensation Claim
Specialisation in the female reproductive system is indicated by the medical term 'gynaecology'. It encompasses the care of the reproductive organs and breasts. Gynaecologists are specialists trained in disorders of women's reproductive systems. There is an associated sub-discipline called 'obstetrics', which is even more specific in the area of women's health as it deals exclusively with the process of reproduction.
While most people who qualify as gynaecologists are also obstetricians, there is a fundamental difference. An obstetrician is concerned only with medical care of pregnant woman up to and just after childbirth, while the gynaecologist focuses on other aspects of the woman's reproductive system and involved in every stage of the life cycle of women.
The doctors and consultants who work in the specialist area of obstetrics and gynaecology deal exclusively with female issues including diagnosis and treatment of the female reproductive system (gynaecology) and the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the recuperative period following delivery (obstetrics). If treatment or care in any of these areas or related areas have affected you negatively and you have reason to believe this was due to medical negligence then you may have grounds to instruct a medical negligence solicitor to make a claim for compensation.
Obstetrics and gynaecology gives rise to more than half of all medical negligence claims in number and represents a substantially higher percentage in value due to the fact that included in this category are birth injuries to children including cerebral palsy, Erbs palsy and shoulder dystocia all caused as a result of a traumatic birth.
Medical negligence compensation claims in the fields of obstetrics and gynaecology can arise as a result of :-
- failure of contraception or female sterilisation or vasectomy
- thrombosis due to improper prescription of oral contraceptives
- side effects of oral contraceptives and contraceptives administered by injection
- perforation of the uterus due to negligent insertion of inter-uterine contraceptive devices and during abortion procedures
- failed abortion and subsequent wrongful birth
- loss of fertility due to infection or hysterectomy due to infection
- laparoscopy negligence including perforation, haemorrhage and damage to the abdominal wall, the ureters and the bladder
- delayed diagnosis of genital cancer and delayed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy
Our gynaecology medical negligence solicitors deal with clinical compensation claims using the risk free no win no fee** scheme. If you need legal advice on medical negligence just call the helpline to speak to a specialist solicitor with no charge and no further obligation.
Female Health Issues
A young girl aged between 9 and 14 commences monthly menstruation, enabling her to become pregnant and give birth. Between the ages of 45 and 55, she passes through the menopausal period and on into old age. Every stage of female development after puberty can involve issues with the reproductive system. A woman's reproductive well-being concerns the health status of the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes and breasts. Gynaecological care includes the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and abnormalities of the reproductive system. A doctor who fails to properly treat a female patient who subsequently suffers harm as a result of a clinical error may be liable to pay compensation for medical negligence upon application to a court of law by the patients solicitor.
Health conditions in these areas are usually dealt with by a gynaecologist. There are many different considerations associated with the menstrual system and suitable treatments may need to be implemented for such issues as excessive pain, unusual bleeding patterns and irregular menstruation.
Contraception
Complexities arising from the use of contraceptives should be dealt with by a gynaecologist. There are various forms of contraception choices, including the contraceptive pill, injection or patch, Intrauterine Devices (IUD), diaphragms coated in spermicide, and condoms. One of the major complications of contraception is failure of the method used. Resulting outcomes include unwanted pregnancy and injury or infection.
Infertility
An obstetrician is consulted when a woman experiences difficulties becoming pregnant. There are many and varied reasons why this may happen, including ovulation disorders, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, tubal obstructions and among others.
Pregnancy
The welfare of a pregnant woman can be hampered by such conditions as urinary tract infection and vaginal bleeding, which may require monitoring or intervention.
Sterilisation
If a woman decides that she wishes permanent contraception, she needs to seek medical advice prior to undergoing the procedure required and/or recommended. The two major options are tubal ligation and hysterectomy.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
There are several diseases that are transmittable as a direct result of sexual activity, such as Chlamydia and genital herpes.
Screening
Gynaecological procedures, such as breast examinations and pap smears, are generally carried out yearly during the childbearing years, unless there is an indication more frequent testing is necessary.
Menopause
Many women experience problems as they enter their non-childbearing years with the cessation of their menstrual periods. Some women have quite severe health issues during this phase of life and require gynaecological or surgical treatment.
Hysterectomy
There are manifold uterine conditions a woman can encounter. Some of these may require the surgical removal of the uterus, known as a 'hysterectomy'. These concerns include fibroid tumours, ovarian cysts and/or tumours, endometriosis and cancer.
Breast Health
The majority of breast lumps are benign; however, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in women. It is vital all lumps are treated seriously until they are correctly diagnosed as non-cancerous. Breast cancer can occur at any age after puberty, but is most common after the age of 40. There are screening tests available and women are encouraged by health care professionals to perform regular self examinations as well. Problems are referred to a gynaecologist and treatment will depend on the specific conditions.
Negligence
The concept of negligence within the medical sphere has developed separately from mainstream negligence. To make a successful claim for medical negligence compensation it is necessary to show that a healthcare professional was less competent than other similar professionals working in the same field. The fact that medical treatment did not work does not necessarily mean that there was negligence. In addition if a doctor has two possible treatment regimens and chooses the wrong one, it is also not necessarily negligent treatment, provided that a substantial body of the medical profession supports the alternative treatment which must stand up to logical analysis.
Once negligence has been established it is necessary to show that the negligent treatment either directly caused injury or delayed or prevented a cure. This is a difficult concept to prove in most cases and depends on the submission of expert evidence from medical consultants.
Compensation
Medical negligence compensation in cases involving obstetrics and gynaecology can be claimed for both emotional and physical pain and suffering in addition to any expenses and losses. In cases of wrongful birth incidental losses and expenses that relate directly to the child�s upbringing can also be claimed. If the child has any disability additional sums awarded will compensate for the extra expense involved. If you would like to discuss a possible claim with a qualified medical negligence solicitor just call our offices for free legal advice.
Medical Negligence Solicitors Legal Advice
If you have suffered personal injury and you fear you may have been the victim of incompetence or negligence then there is no time for delay. In order to know what options you have you should seek expert legal advice as soon as possible. Our medical negligence solicitors operate a service with no cost whereby you can meet us in person or chat over the telephone with one of our friendly experts and obtain initial advice. If you subsequently decide to proceed no further then that is your right and you will not be charged for our initial advice.
The author of the substantive medical writing on this website is Dr. Christine Traxler MD whose biography can be read here