A gynaecology claim can be very distressing and we are here to help.

Healthcare professionals must be able to detect early warning signs of cervical or gynaecological cancer. Examples of possible negligence claims include, failing to:

• Recognise abnormal cells from a cervical smear test
• Detect and treat dyskariosis prior to it developing into cervical cancer
• Promptly react to symptoms, for example inter-menstrual and post-coital bleeding
• Refer patients for appropriate smear tests.

Other common examples of potential gynaecology claims include:

• Use of the incorrect embryos during IVF treatment
• Failure by the surgeon to recognise damage to the bladder or bowel during hysterectomy surgery
• An instrument negligently being left inside a patient following a caesarean section. 

If sub-standard treatment is received during pregnancy, due to the actions or inactions of a midwife, it may be possible to bring a claim against the hospital employing the midwife or the individual midwife.

Some common examples of midwife negligence claims involve the following conditions:

• Ectopic pregnancy – i.e. those which take place outside the womb (most commonly in the fallopian tube). They are always terminal for the baby.
• Maternal diabetes – this condition must be recognised and treated quickly to prevent potential serious damage, including miscarriages or birth defects (such as damage to the baby’s heart or brain).
• Erb’s Palsy – i.e. serious nerve damage caused when a baby’s shoulders get stuck during birth. This can lead to long-term disabilities for the baby.
• Cerebral Palsy – i.e. a baby suffers a brain injury (either due to lack of oxygen, infection or through a head injury) during birth. This results in disabilities associated with movement control and intellectual capability. 
• Congenital Hip Dysplasia – i.e. the baby’s hip joint develops in a way that results in the thigh bone becoming unsecure in its socket.

Midwives are usually responsible for care for 10 – 28 days after birth. If the baby is healthy, care is normally provided for 10 – 14 days. Midwifes now work within a variety of locations, including within hospitals, GP surgeries and can also make home visits. 

Although many operations are performed successfully, mistakes can occur. Common examples of negligence associated with hip surgery include:

• Incorrectly aligned implants – usually involving a component being placed at the wrong angle. This can result in excessive wear of the hip device which could become loose or dislocated
• Incorrectly sized implants – this can lead to problems with stability
• Defective implants – if this is due to poor design, the claim may be against the manufacturer
• Nerve damage – the femoral nerve (and others) are at risk of damage during surgical procedures
• Pre-operative planning – surgeons can and should be preparing thoroughly prior to any hip surgery. Many hip surgeries are unsuccessful due to poor planning.  

Knee surgery involves bone and cartilage being removed from the patient’s knee and being substituted with organic or man-made components.

Although many operations are performed successfully, mistakes can occur. Common examples of negligence associated with knee replacement surgery include:

• ·        Use of the incorrect component
• Nerve injury – nerves above and below the knee are vulnerable to injury during surgery. The peroneal nerve is especially vulnerable and damage to this nerve can lead to continuous pain and mobility loss.  
• Vein or artery damage – if not noticed, this can have extremely serious consequences
• Infection 

In most cases, you will receive excellent advice from solicitors practicing Clinical Negligence. However, if you believe you have received inappropriate advice or are concerned about your ongoing claim and how it is currently being dealt with, we can assist. Our Clinical Negligence solicitors at Tees are professional, friendly and helpful with expertise in both Clinical Negligence and Professional Negligence claims.

We will review your case thoroughly and work closely with you to ensure that your claim is pursued appropriately or (if you have suffered loss) we may be able to bring a claim against your previous solicitor for negligence.

The most common reason for removal of the gallbladder is because the patient has painful gallstones which have been a persistent problem and cannot be treated via a different method.

It is possible that some patients may find that gallstones do not cause any symptoms. However, occasionally the presence of gallstones can stop the flow of bile which causes significant pain for the patient (in the upper abdomen region). The severity of the pain may mean that surgery is necessary. It is also possible that some patients may be at risk of jaundice.

The majority of gallbladder operations are performed successful. However, mistakes can be made by the surgeon. 

For example, a surgeon may make an error when trying to decipher the complicated anatomy surrounding the gall bladder. This can result in metal clips (used during the procedure) being placed on the incorrect ducts, which can lead to severe and permanent damage. 

A further operation called a Roux-en-Y may then be necessary. This procedure creates a new pathway for bile to flow from the liver to the small intestine.

If you have been injured as a result of negligent medical treatment you can bring the claim yourself.

You can also bring a claim if you are the next of kin of someone; who has died due to negligent medical treatment, or who cannot take action themselves as they do not have capacity, this includes children.

The vast majority of medical negligence claims are settled without the need of going to Court.  There are instances where claims do proceed to trial, but they are a very small minority and steps are taken where appropriate to avoid the need for going to Court.