Delay in Diagnosis and Treatment of Eptopic Pregnancy

In July 2013, we obtained £29,000 compensation for a client from Telford who had suffered injury as a result of a delay in diagnosis and treatment of an ectopic pregnancy.

As a result of the delay in diagnosis and treatment, the ectopic pregnancy progressed causing rupture of the left fallopian tube. Our client subsequently required emergency surgery to remove her left fallopian tube and left ovary. She went on to develop an anxiety disorder as a result of her experience of the ruptured ectopic pregnancy, with excessive anxiety and worry. She has significant abdominal scarring.

The case was funded by a “No Win, No Fee” agreement supported by “After the Event Insurance”. The case took just over two years from instructions to settlement.

We obtained our client’s medical records and took a detailed statement from her. The records were collated and analysed by our in-house nurses. We instructed an expert in the field of gynaecology to comment on the standard of care provided to her. We also instructed an expert in the field of plastic surgery to comment on treatment by way of cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of the abdominal scarring. Professional photographs were obtained of the abdominal scarring. Finally, we instructed an expert in the field of psychiatry who advised that our client had suffered a psychiatric injury as a result of the traumatic experience of the ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

The case was settled between the parties without the need for litigation through the Courts. Our client received compensation which included the following:

• General damages for pain and suffering
• Emergency admission to hospital and emergency surgery including; removal of her left fallopian tube and left ovary against a background of difficulties conceiving
• Subsequent two week inpatient stay in hospital during the course of which she remained very unwell and required blood transfusions
• Psychological impact of the traumatic admission to hospital including disturbed sleeping pattern, anxiety and stress
• Abdominal scarring
• Care and assistance provided to her and her son by her mother following her emergency surgery
• Costs of private psychological treatment (cognitive behavioural therapy)
• Costs of surgery in the private sector to improve the appearance of her abdominal scarring.

Every aspect of this case was considered carefully with our client in order to maximise the compensation obtained.

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