Medical negligence claims ectopic pregnancy: Steps to take

Medical negligence claims ectopic pregnancy cases involve situations where a patient suffers harm due to delayed diagnosis, mismanagement, or incorrect treatment of an ectopic pregnancy by healthcare professionals. If you or a loved one has been affected, seeking expert legal advice from a Medical Negligence Solicitor is crucial to understand your rights and the steps to take to pursue compensation.

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. This condition can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Medical negligence in ectopic pregnancy often involves failure to diagnose symptoms early or delays in treatment, which can lead to serious complications, including internal bleeding, fertility issues, or even death.

Understanding medical negligence in ectopic pregnancy

Medical negligence claims ectopic pregnancy arise when healthcare providers breach their duty of care by failing to meet the accepted medical standards. Examples include:

• Failure to recognise or investigate symptoms such as abdominal pain or bleeding.
• Delayed or missed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
• Inappropriate or delayed referral for ultrasound scans or specialist care.
• Errors during surgical treatment or follow-up care.

Proving negligence requires showing that this breach caused harm or injury to the patient.

Steps to take if you suspect medical negligence in ectopic pregnancy

1. Seek immediate medical attention: If you experience symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, such as severe abdominal pain or bleeding, seek emergency medical care immediately.
2. Gather medical records: Obtain copies of all relevant medical records, test results, and correspondence related to your care.
3. Consult a specialist solicitor: Contact a solicitor experienced in medical negligence claims ectopic pregnancy to assess your case.
4. Early investigation: Your solicitor will typically arrange for independent medical experts to review your treatment and determine whether negligence occurred.
5. Consider time limits: Be aware of the strict limitation period for medical negligence claims in England and Wales, generally three years from the date you became aware of the injury.
6. Negotiations or court proceedings: Your solicitor will guide you through settlement negotiations or, if necessary, court proceedings to pursue compensation.

Types of compensation available

Compensation in medical negligence claims ectopic pregnancy may cover:

• Physical and psychological pain and suffering.
• Costs of additional medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Loss of earnings and future loss of income.
• Impact on fertility and family planning.
• Support for emotional and psychological trauma.

Challenges in medical negligence claims ectopic pregnancy

• Complex medical evidence requiring expert testimony.
• Proving causation between negligence and harm.
• Strict limitation periods.
• Emotional distress during the legal process.

Expert Insights

• Early legal consultation can strengthen your claim and help preserve evidence.
• Detailed medical records are vital for proving negligence.
• Specialist solicitors understand the sensitive nature of ectopic pregnancy claims and offer compassionate support.
• Each case is unique and requires tailored legal and medical analysis.

Real-world case study

M. fell pregnant but started to bleed and experience severe left sided and increasing pain. Unfortunately, M. had suffered an ectopic pregnancy, but despite several consultations and investigations at hospital there was a delay in her diagnosis resulting in fallopian tube rupture which was a life-threatening medical emergency.

The hospital had failed to refer M. to the Early Pregnancy Unit when she had first complained of pain, failed to perform a scan diagnosing the ectopic pregnancy earlier, failed to properly interpret a scan which demonstrated an ectopic mass and failed to follow national (NICE) and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidance for managing risk and diagnosing ectopic pregnancy.

The hospital’s failures caused M. to suffer unnecessary pain, loss of her fallopian tube, emergency surgery, blood transfusions, anaemia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and health-related anxiety.

M. instructed Fosters Solicitors. Despite an initial denial of all allegations made against the hospital trust, Fosters obtained medical expert evidence which supported the fact that there had been multiple breaches of duty by the clinicians involved in M.’s care and agreed an out of court settlement of £40,000.

If you believe you have grounds for medical negligence claims ectopic pregnancy, expert advice from a solicitor can help you take the right steps towards justice and compensation.

Our Medical Negligence Solicitors are experienced in supporting those with ectopic pregnancy claims.

We very much appreciate the strength and courage it can take to revisit very personal and traumatic events and experiences, but we would like to reassure you we approach every conversation and case with the utmost sensitivity.

We want to work with you to achieve the best possible outcome for your claim. We understand you will want to know how we can assist, so we offer a free of charge no obligation first meeting or chat, which we follow up with a full letter of advice. If you are in any doubt as to whether you have a claim, please do contact us, again completely without obligation.

We are also able to discuss how you can cover the cost of a claim, including through a ‘no win no fee’ agreement.

This article was produced on the 2nd September 2025 for information purposes only and should not be construed or relied upon as specific legal advice.