Ectopic Pregnancy Misdiagnosis Claims

In some situations, once fertilised, an egg can remain lodged within the fallopian tube, rather than travelling safely to the womb.  This may happen for a number of reasons, including if the fallopian tube is obstructed.  Unfortunately, if this does happen, the pregnancy cannot continue as doing so can cause the fallopian tube to rupture, leading to serious internal bleeding.  One in every 90 pregnancies are ectopic, and hence quite common.

Ectopic pregnancies require the fertilised egg to be removed, using medication or by surgery.

Symptoms are not always apparent, but if they do occur, may include:

• a missed period and other signs of pregnancy
• tummy pain low down on one side
• vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge
• pain in the tip of your shoulder
• discomfort when peeing or pooing

These symptoms typically occur between week 4 and 12 of pregnancy.

Injuries due to the misdiagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy may include:

• Life-threatening bleeding if the ectopic pregnancy proceeds for long enough that it causes the fallopian tube to rupture
• Reduced fertility or infertility if the fallopian tube is damaged
• Increased likelihood of a further ectopic pregnancy
• Loss of a healthy baby if an ectopic pregnancy is incorrectly diagnosed

In any event, the patient may require urgent surgery, and they may experience significant physical and emotional trauma as a result.

You may have a valid compensation claim due to an ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis if it can be proven:

• You were owed a duty of care, and;
• That duty of care was breached – i.e. the standard of care you received in relation to an ectopic pregnancy fell below a satisfactory standard, and;
• The breach caused your injuries.

If these three elements are proven and can be backed up with evidence, you may have a strong case for compensation.

By engaging the services of a specialist ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis claims Solicitor, the case will be handled on your behalf, including collating the necessary evidence (medical records and correspondence) and writing to the organisation responsible for your care outlining  the grounds for your claim.

Yes; the ‘limitation’ period to bring a claim for medical negligence is three years from the date of the injury or in some cases three years from the date of knowledge fo the injury.  This means that if you only became aware of the injury weeks, months, or even years after it was caused, the three-year period will commence from then.  If you were under 18 when the misdiagnosis occurred, the three-year timescale only starts from your eighteenth birthday.  In rare circumstances, the Court may use their discretion to extend the limitation period, but only for exceptional reasons.

Yes; Devonshires Claims can provide:

• ‘No Win No Fee’ claims service for Ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis compensation claims.
• ‘No Win No Fee’ arrangement is also known as a ‘Conditional Fee Agreement’. Under a No Win No Fee agreement, you will not be charged any costs if your case is not successful*.

If you win your case, you will pay a maximum of 25% of your damages in Solicitor’s fees**.

Medical negligence injury claims are rarely completed quickly.  The timescale for an ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis claim will depend on individual circumstances of your case; however, most cases commonly take between two and three years to fully conclude.  Factors which will affect how long your claim takes may include:

• how severely you were injured
• the prognosis
• whether ongoing care is required
• how much rehabilitation is needed
• whether you require costs to cover home modifications
• Whether the defendant admits liability (if they do, claims can usually be concluded much faster).

Compensation claims for ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis not only reflect the pain and suffering experienced but also:

• Allow victims to obtain justice for the mistreatment and negligence they experienced
• Highlight failings in clinical practice, standards of care and protocols
• Provide families with an explanation of the incident and an apology if failings are acknowledged

The compensation payment will depend on several factors:

• The pain and suffering of the victim
• The impact of the delay and / or negligence on health and quality of life – including current and future care requirements, medical aids, home adaptations or other necessary assistance
• Any financial losses experienced as a result of the injuries – including past loss of earnings, medical expenses, travel expenses and equipment costs
• Any future financial losses, e.g. loss of earnings, loss of promotion prospects, and pension

Compensation for ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis fall into two main categories:

• General compensation (General Damages): this includes compensation for pain and suffering and the impact of the injury on lifestyle and quality of life
• Financial losses and expenses (Special Damages): these include the costs associated with private treatment, care support, travel expenses, other medical expenses, specialist equipment and loss of income.