Hysterectomy Negligence Compensation Claim Solicitors

A hysterectomy is a procedure that is used to remove the womb, or uterus, from a patient. It can be used to help treat a variety of health conditions – such as ovarian cancer, heavy periods, prolonged pain in the pelvis, non-cancerous tumours, or other forms of cancer.

All surgeries come with a set of potential risks to the patient, and hysterectomies, considered by healthcare professionals as major operations, are no exception.

However, errors made by healthcare professionals prior to, during, or after a hysterectomy can have devastating consequences and permanently alter a patient’s life.

If you, or someone close to you, have experienced possible hysterectomy negligence, then you could have a claim for compensation.

The process of making a claim can be challenging, but it does not have to be isolating.

Seeking out the best legal advice early on – from a solicitor that understands the mental, physical, and financial hardship that you have suffered, and can value a claim that reflects this – is therefore essential.

Why us?

At SDS Solicitors, it is our ambition to demystify the process of making a claim for compensation by helping our clients navigate through the whole process.

We are a medical negligence, accident and personal injury law firm that have been dedicated to championing our clients across England and Wales since 1997.

Our expert team has a wealth of experience handling hysterectomy negligence claims and can assist those affected by determining whether they have a claim, accurately valuing the claim and assuring that victims of hysterectomy negligence get the level of compensation that they deserve.

If you believe that you, or someone close to you, has experienced hysterectomy negligence then simply call the number at the top of this page or fill out our form below, and one of our experts will get in touch with you for your initial free consultation.

What is hysterectomy negligence?

All medical professionals have a duty of care to their patients.

That being said, some negative consequences of hysterectomies cannot be avoided, particularly in cases where surgeons must make quick and difficult decisions during surgery in order to protect the patient’s life.

However, when avoidable harm is caused due to a medical professional’s actions, or lack thereof, then the patient could have experienced medical negligence.

How does hysterectomy negligence occur?

Hysterectomy negligence is where a healthcare professional causes injury to a patient by deviating from the proper standard of care leading up to, during, or after a hysterectomy.

Typically, hysterectomy negligence occurs due to a missed or misdiagnosis of conditions, incorrect treatment or medication prescribed, incorrect dosage of anaesthesia or lack of proper aftercare.

Am I entitled to a hysterectomy compensation claim?

Every case of hysterectomy negligence is unique. The patient’s loss of earnings, loss of mobility, reduced physical and emotional health and increased stress must all be taken into account when valuing a claim.

To find out if you, or someone you love, could have a potential claim, get in touch with an expert solicitor who understands the value of your health and wellbeing and can give you the best legal advice for the next stage of your journey.

What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is an incredibly invasive form of surgery that involves the removal of the womb, after which the patient will no longer be able to carry children.

Because of the trauma that a hysterectomy can cause the body and mental health of the patient, hysterectomies are typically performed after other, less-invasive methods of treatment have been attempted.

There are several different forms of hysterectomy, the most common of which is the total hysterectomy, which is where the womb and cervix are both removed.

Similarly, a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is where the womb, fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix are all removed.

Another type of hysterectomy is a subtotal hysterectomy, which, while not removing the cervix, involves the removal of the womb

Finally, a radical hysterectomy involves the removal of the womb and its surrounding tissues, such as the ovaries, lymph glands and fallopian tubes.

How should a hysterectomy be performed?

There are three main methods of carrying out a hysterectomy:

1.       a vaginal hysterectomy, wherein a cut is made in the top of the vagina to remove the womb

2.       an abdominal hysterectomy, where a cut is made in the lower stomach allowing for the womb to be removed

3.       a laparoscopic hysterectomy (also known as keyhole surgery), where several small cuts are made in the lower stomach to remove the womb.

No matter which type of hysterectomy a patient may undergo, there are always risks involved.

What are the potential risks of a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is an incredibly invasive and delicate procedure, and mistakes can be made at any time by healthcare professionals.

As a major surgery, a hysterectomy comes with many associated risks, such as significant bleeding, damage to the ureter, damage to the bowel or bladder, blood clots, vaginal conditions or early menopause.

When this happens, those affected should seek expert legal counsel as soon as possible in order to determine whether a claim is possible.

My ovarian cancer was misdiagnosed, so I had to undergo a hysterectomy. Is this negligence?

In some cases, a doctor’s failure to correctly diagnose a patient with a medical condition will result in the condition getting worse.

Most conditions need to be diagnosed as early as possible in order to prevent this and allow for healthcare professionals to use treatment options that are typically less invasive.

When cancers that affect the female reproductive region are left undiagnosed, such as when a patient’s symptoms are misdiagnosed, they can get worse quickly.

When this happens, more serious methods of treatment may be necessary to treat the cancer at a later stage.

If ovarian cancer is left undiagnosed (or misdiagnosed) leading the patient to ultimately need a hysterectomy to help treat their condition, this could be an example of medical negligence.

Hysterectomy negligence can be an incredibly painful experience. But you are not alone. To learn more about your next steps and whether you could have a claim, call us at the number at the top of this page.

An area inside of my body was cut during surgery. Is this negligence?

While there are many ways that patients could be affected by negligent care, the most common hysterectomy negligence claims involve errors made during the surgery itself.

Typically, this occurs when the surgeon responsible for the procedure accidentally punctures the bladder or bowel. In some cases, the ureter may be cut during surgery.

However, it is important to note that not all cases of unintentional perforation during a hysterectomy are examples of negligence.

Some patients have a lot of scar tissue around the bladder and can therefore be more susceptible to bladder perforation during their hysterectomy.

Therefore, in some cases, this might have been unavoidable.

But if the surgeon responsible for performing the hysterectomy did not correctly identify the scar tissue, or the perforation, and did not manage it in a timely manner, then this could still be considered negligent.

I received lack of proper care during childbirth and had to undergo an emergency hysterectomy against my will. What am I entitled to?

Medical negligence during childbirth can be an immensely traumatic experience. Sometimes, negligence during childbirth, typically during a caesarean section, can result in the patient needing a hysterectomy that they would not otherwise have wanted.

Avoidable harm caused by medical professionals before a hysterectomy (in this case, resulting in a hysterectomy being necessary) is also an example of possible negligence.

If you, or someone close to you, have had to undergo an unwanted hysterectomy as a result of negligence, then you could be entitled to compensation.

To find out for sure, get in touch with us by calling the number at the top of this page or filling out our contact form.

I discovered my condition was misdiagnosed after having a hysterectomy. What should I do?

A hysterectomy, while a commonly performed procedure, is still very serious, and is often recommended by doctors only after other methods of treatment have been attempted, or when a condition is severe enough to necessitate the surgery.

In very rare cases, a doctor may make a mistake in misdiagnosing a patient and perform a hysterectomy unnecessarily.

This is extremely rare but very traumatic for a patient. If you, or someone close to you, have gone through a hysterectomy that wasn’t needed, due to a misdiagnosis, then you could be entitled to compensation.

As well as the above, other examples of negligent care prior to, during or after a hysterectomy include:

• Failure to properly monitor a patient post-surgery
• Lack of proper hygiene etiquette
• Unnecessary scarring caused during surgery
• An infection that could have been prevented with proper care
• Large amounts of blood loss post-op that go unnoticed or unmonitored by healthcare professionals
• Incorrect amount of anaesthetic given to patient
• Failure to obtain full consent from the patient
• Leaving a foreign object (a surgical item) within the patient’s body

If you have suffered through any of the above, then you could have suffered hysterectomy negligence.

Contact us

We are a leading specialist medical negligence, accident at work and personal injury law firm acting for claimants nationwide.

Our expert medical negligence solicitors regularly act for clients across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham and Whitefield.

Our team of recognised Surgery Negligence Claims Solicitors can support your needs wherever you live in Wales, England & Northern Ireland.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.