Settlement Achieved for Hospital Negligence in Mismanaged Ectopic Pregnancy Case

Our clients story:

Our client pursued a claim against an NHS Foundation Trust for their failure to recognise her heightened risk of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, delaying a timely diagnosis and necessary medical intervention, and failing to act promptly as her condition deteriorated.  

Our client had a history of pregnancy complications, including miscarriages, a blighted ovum and a previous ectopic pregnancy, she had faced a difficult journey so far. After multiple losses, she approached her pregnancy with a mix of excitement and cautious optimism, though her past experiences left her understandably anxious about the journey ahead.

During the early weeks of her first trimester, our client experienced abdominal pain and spotting. Concerned for her pregnancy, she sought medical attention and was admitted to the pregnancy assessment unit at her local hospital for observation. Due to her history of pregnancy-related complications, she was classified as high risk, and a transvaginal ultrasound was performed, revealing that her pregnancy was of an unknown location. 

She was discharged from hospital and asked to return the next day for blood tests with a follow-up scan scheduled seven days later. During the second ultrasound, her pregnancy was reported as being of uncertain viability. A further scan was booked two weeks later to reassess viability. Unfortunately, during this scan, a slow foetal heartbeat was detected, and our client was advised that she might miscarry. A fourth scan was then scheduled for two weeks after this. 

Our client decided to attend a private scan, to hopefully provide some clarity or peace of mind, however at this scan she was informed that she had suffered a miscarriage. The following day, our client was admitted to the hospital with severe and sudden abdominal pain. Her condition was rapidly deteriorating, and emergency surgery was required to rule out intra-abdominal bleeding. During this procedure, it was identified that she had a left-sided interstitial ectopic pregnancy with active bleeding and rupture, resulting in substantial blood loss and the need for transfusions.  

An ectopic pregnancy rupture is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an ectopic pregnancy continues to grow. This can cause the affected tube to burst, leading to severe internal bleeding. Early recognition and timely medical intervention are critical to prevent such complications.  

The Emotional and Physical Impact

Our client endured significant emotional turmoil as multiple scans failed to provide timely answers, leaving her in limbo and uncertain about her condition. Despite her high-risk status and history of ectopic pregnancy, her symptoms were mismanaged by the NHS Foundation Trust she was under the care of, prolonging her distress and uncertainty. 

This traumatic rupture not only left her physically scarred but also the emotional toll as she processed her pregnancy loss. She now faces the difficult reality of increased risks in any future pregnancies, including the possibility of life-threatening complications.

She felt let down by the hospital’s alleged failure to recognise her risk of an ectopic pregnancy, which allowed her ectopic pregnancy to progress for several weeks, putting her health at serious risk. The delays in her care added to her grief, leaving her to suffer unnecessary pain and prolonged uncertainty.  

How Fletchers Solicitors Helped 

A legal claim was made against the NHS Trust, and liability was admitted. Through the diligence and advocacy of Solicitor Poppy Heslop a settlement of £20,000 was secured for our client. This outcome was achieved after the defendant’s initial offer fell short of what we believed the claimant was entitled to. Poppy pushed for a better outcome by providing further evidence of the valuation of the claim, which ensured a better outcome for the case.  

Lawyer: Poppy Heslop 

Settlement: £20,000

Poppy Heslop, Clinical Negligence Solicitor shared their comments: 

“I am very happy that we were able to obtain an award of compensation in this case to allow our client to adjust back into her life despite the loss she suffered. I hope she can move forward from these events and wish her the very best for the future.” 

Whilst the compensation cannot fix the emotional pain and loss experienced by our client. However, it serves to highlight the hospital’s negligence and provides our client with the opportunity to move forward, knowing her voice was heard, and that liability was acknowledged. 

If you’ve experienced hospital negligence, or have questions about making a claim, Fletchers Solicitors is here to support you every step of the way. We specialise in handling medical negligence cases with the care and sensitive support these experiences need.

Contact us for a confidential conversation about how we can help.