Gynaecology claims

Gynaecology claims

For finding answers and getting justice

Treatment by a gynaecologist should be done with sensitivity and care. Whether you’re visiting a gynaecologist for a routine check-up or you need treatment for a specific condition, you have the right to expect the highest standards of care. When medical professionals fail to meet these standards, the consequences can be severe - gynaecological negligence can result in fertility problems, chronic pain and in some cases, a life-changing illness or injury.

If you’ve suffered harm because of a mistake in your treatment or your illness wasn’t treated in time by a gynaecologist or urologist, you may be entitled to claim compensation. This can help to make your recovery more comfortable, pay for any treatment you need and act as a way to answer any questions you may have or pursue justice for what happened to you.

Switalskis is proud to support clients who’ve suffered harm to make gynaecology negligence claims. We recognise the sensitivity that gynaecology claims demand, and we have the experience and expertise in this area to help you secure the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve.

To speak to a member of our team about your situation and learn more about making a claim, call us today on 0800 138 0458 or contact us through the website.

If you need advice on any aspect of gynaecology claims, get in touch with us today. Call us on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through our website for a free, no-obligation consultation.

How Switalskis can help you

If you’re owed compensation, it’s important to work with the right legal team. Switalskis offers trust and support, and we’ll always make sure the service we offer is focused on you. We’ll start by talking about your situation and listening to your needs, so that we can understand what you want to achieve.

From there, we’ll gather evidence like medical documents and witness statements, and meticulously review everything to build the strongest possible case. Our years of experience in making urology and gynaecology claims on behalf of our clients means that we can give you robust legal advice and make sure you have the highest chance of a successful outcome.

Switalskis is more than just a law firm. We’ll stand by your side during what is often one of the most challenging experiences you’ll face, and offer the support you need during your recovery. We’ll make the claims process as simple and stress-free as possible so you can focus on the things that matter most.

Read what our clients had to say about the help they received from Switalskis

What are common gynaecology negligence claims?

Our expert team has secured compensation for many people for a variety of gynaecological negligence claims. Common mistakes can include:

Surgical errors

  • Perforation of the uterus, bowel or bladder during surgery
  • Unnecessary hysterectomy, or medical or surgical mistakes leading to hysterectomy
  • Negligent sterilisation surgery leading to pregnancy or other complications
  • Retained swabs or instruments during surgery
  • Keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) errors
  • Nerve damage
  • Inadequate or substandard repairs following episiotomy

Diagnosis errors

  • Delayed diagnosis of cervical or ovarian cancer
  • Smear test errors
  • Failure to promptly and accurately diagnose conditions like endometriosis and ovarian cysts may lead to these conditions getting worse
  • Misinterpreting or failure to read X-rays and scans correctly
  • Failure to take a full patient history leading to a misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis.
  • Delay in diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy

Gynaecology negligence compensation

Each gynaecology negligence case is different and personal to your circumstances. The final amount of compensation will be based on the severity of your injury and the effect it has had on your life.

Compensation will include:

  • Compensation for the injuries you have sustained both physical and psychological
  • Any loss of earnings both now and in the future because of your injuries 
  • Any additional losses and costs for rehabilitation and treatment, further surgery or therapy 

The amount of compensation will depend on your particular circumstances. When advising you, we will consider the nature of the negligence, the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life and your future. 

This list is not comprehensive. If you feel that you may be entitled to claim but you’re unsure, get in touch for a free confidential discussion. We will listen to your story and be able to advise you on whether you can make a claim based on what happened to you.

What is the process for making a gynaecology claim?

While every claim is different and depends on the circumstances of the negligence, the gynaecology claims process generally proceeds in the same way. There are some variations based on how the defendant responds to your claim, but the process will generally unfold as follows:

Step 1: Initial consultation

Reach out to Switalskis for a free, no obligation initial consultation. During this meeting, we’ll listen to your story, understand your concerns and explain whether we think you have a strong case. If we decide to proceed, we can then discuss the next steps and the available funding options.

Step 2: Establishing your claim

We’ll gather all the relevant information we need to build your case. This will include applying for all of your medical records, including your GP records. We’ll ask you for photographs, receipts and any other documents that may support your claim. We’ll take detailed witness statements that tell your version of events. We may arrange for you to be assessed by an independent medical expert to provide an unbiased view of your injuries and future prognosis. The aim will be to prove that negligence was responsible for your injury and consider the potential value of the claim.

Step 3: Notifying the defendant

Once we have supportive evidence, we’ll send a letter of claim to the doctor and/or hospital involved. This will outline details of the claim and state the allegations regarding the negligence treatment.

Step 4: Defendant response

The defendant will then have four months to investigate the allegations made against them and respond to the letter of claim in a letter of response. This letter will include whether the defendant accepts they are at fault, which is called an admission of liability. If they do not accept fault, they will state this in the letter and this is called a denial of liability. We will advise you of the next steps at this stage.

Step 5: Settlement and compensation

If the defendant or medical practice has admitted fault, negotiations can start. Our gynaecology and urology claims solicitors will negotiate on your behalf, using our expertise and experience to secure the highest possible compensation amount for you. At this stage, we will discuss how much compensation you may receive. This will be calculated to cover the pain and suffering caused by gynaecological negligence, as well as any financial losses or expenses you’ve experienced as a result.

Step 6: Court proceedings (where necessary)

Most claims will be settled through negotiation, without needing to go to court. In the rare instances where the case does go to trial, you can trust us to represent you throughout the process.

At Switalskis, we’re committed to clear and effective communication. We’ll stay in touch with you throughout the claims process and make sure you’re always kept up to date about our progress. That puts you in the best possible position to make decisions, and helps to relieve any anxiety you might feel about making a claim.

Are there time limits for making a gynaecology compensation claim?

In general, a three-year time limit applies to every medical negligence compensation claim. This limitation period begins from the date that the negligence happened, or, in some cases, the date that you realised the negligence was the cause of an injury or other harm that you experienced.

There are also specific exceptions for cases involving any of the following:

  • Children: if the person who suffered the negligence was under 18 at the time, the three-year period doesn’t start until their 18th birthday. This means they have until they turn 21 to start legal proceedings.
  • Mental capacity: if the person who suffered the negligence lacks mental capacity to make their own decisions, there may be no time limit to make a claim on their behalf.
  • Fatal cases: If you’re claiming on behalf of a family member who passed away due to complications arising from gynaecological negligence, the claim must be made within three years of the date of death, or the date of knowledge that negligent treatment caused their death.

It’s always best to act as soon as you can when pursuing compensation, to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines that might apply. Speak to Switalskis today and we can advise you on your eligibility to claim and get your case started as quickly as possible.

How much does it cost to make gynaecology negligence claims?

Many people who have the right to claim compensation find the idea daunting, particularly because they are worried about how they will afford it. At Switalskis, we think that anyone who has sustained damage due to a negligent gynaecology treatment should be able to investigate a claim regardless of their financial circumstances.

There are several different ways that you can fund a legal case that will minimise any financial risk to you while still allowing you to make your claim. These include:

  • No win, no fee agreement: also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), this is the most common way to fund a gynaecology compensation claim. Under a no win, no fee agreement, you won’t need to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful. Our costs are written off. If you win your case, a percentage of your compensation will be used to cover our fees. This option allows you to pursue your claim without any financial risk, and we’ll discuss all of the potential costs with you upfront to avoid any surprises.
  • Legal expenses insurance: we will begin an insurance policy to cover you for the out-of-pocket costs we experience during the investigation. We have our own insurance provider that we use. However, you may have legal expense cover as part of your home or car insurance policy, which can also be used to fund your claim.

When you first get in touch, we’ll discuss these options with you in more detail to help you find the best one for you. We want to make sure that you receive as much compensation as you deserve without any fear of the cost of legal services.

Contact us today and let's start your journey towards recovery together. Call us today on 0800 1380 458, or get in touch via our form.

Our gynaecology claims specialists

Photo of Suzanne Munroe
Suzanne MunroeDirector and Solicitor
Photo of Sarah Walker
Sarah WalkerDirector and Solicitor
Photo of Charlotte Reeves
Charlotte ReevesDirector and Solicitor
Photo of Kay Barnes
Kay BarnesDirector and Solicitor
Photo of David Thomas
David ThomasDirector and Chartered Legal Executive
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Why Switalskis?

The results of a mistake by a gynaecologist can be devastating. Our team has a wealth of experience dealing with claims relating to gynaecology injuries. Switalskis is committed to delivering the highest quality of medical negligence services. In that spirit, our team makes four key commitments to every client, designed to ease them through the claims process and take the pressure off.

Clarity in complexity

Medical jargon can be complicated, and legal terminology even more so. With our experience, our team can break things down into the simplest terms and help to make sure you understand everything fully. That way, you won’t need to worry about what’s happening with your claim, and you’ll be empowered to make the right decisions.

Empathy at every step

To Switalskis, you’re never just another client. You may still be dealing with the aftermath of an injury or trauma due to your experience. Beyond legal advice, our team will offer you the support and guidance you need to get things back on track after a difficult incident.

Expertise you can trust

Our clinical negligence team is one of the best in the UK, and we have many years of combined expertise. We know how to respond to defendants and keep your case on track, and can provide any services you need - whether that is negotiating a fair settlement, or representing you in court to make sure you get the compensation you’re owed.

Championing your rights

Making a claim isn’t just about recovering from physical harm and financial losses. It’s about holding the right people responsible, getting a formal admission that what they did was wrong, and helping to make sure the same thing never happens to anyone else again. Switalskis’ solicitors will work hard to uphold your rights throughout the claims process and make your voice heard.

Choosing the right legal team to support your claim is vital, as it can make the process much easier for you and has a big impact on your chances of success. Switalskis is committed to standing by your side and providing the support you need to make your gynaecology claim.

We can support you in the following medical negligence situations

Find out how Switalskis can help you

The gynaecology claims process can be daunting and demands great sensitivity. With Switalskis by your side, you won’t have to face it alone. Call us today on 0800 138 0458 or contact us through the website to talk about your circumstances, and we’ll start your gynaecology claim together.

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