Hysterectomy Claims
Hysterectomies are a serious and invasive procedure that often require a long recovery time. The procedure is used to remove the womb (uterus) in women and should only be carried out once less invasive treatments have been trialled.
Although the risks have fallen greatly due to medical advances, there are still cases where people suffer injuries or long term effects due to negligence during or after the procedure.
If you feel you have suffered as a result of negligence in regard to a hysterectomy, please contact our experienced medical negligence team by filling out a form or calling on the number below. They’d be happy to answer your questions and talk you through if you have a claim.
This data will only be used by Youngs Law for processing your query and for no other purpose.
What is a hysterectomy?
Hysterectomies are the removal of the womb (uterus). They are considered to be a major surgical procedure and can have a long recovery time for patients.
Hysterectomy operations are much safer now than they were and most people go through the procedure without any problems at all. However, it is still a major surgical procedure and carries with it a certain level of risk.
The most common risks are of injury to the bladder and the bowel. It is not negligent to accidentally make a hole in the bladder or the bowel as long as the surgeon recognises that a hole has been made and repairs this. Successful claims are possible where there has been a failure by the surgeon to recognise the accidental damage and put it right.
Types of hysterectomy
Hysterectomies can be carried out in various ways, depending on the need for the operation and how much of the womb and surrounding reproductive system can be safely left in place.
The most common types of hysterectomy are:
- Total hysterectomy – the complete removal of both the womb and cervix (neck of the womb)
- Subtotal hysterectomy – the removal of the main body of the womb, leaving the cervix in place
- Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – the removal of the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy)
- Radical hysterectomy – the removal of the womb and surrounding tissues, including the fallopian tubes, part of the vagina, ovaries, lymph glands and fatty tissue
As well as different procedures, the surgery can also be carried out in different ways. There are 3 types of surgical procedures that can be used for a hysterectomy:
- Laparoscopic hysterectomy (keyhole surgery)
- Vaginal hysterectomy
- Abdominal hysterectomy
Why do I need a Hysterectomy?
Hysterectomies are carried out to treat health problems that affect the female reproductive system. They should only be carried out if less invasive procedures have failed due to the invasive nature of the surgery and the long recovery time. You may be able to claim for negligence if you have been told you need a hysterectomy before trialling other methods.
Reasons for a hysterectomy include:
- Heavy periods causing pain or illness
- Long-term pelvic pain
- Non-cancerous tumours (fibroids)
- Ovarian cancer, womb cancer, cervical cancer or cancer of the fallopian tubes
Complications of surgery
As with all surgical procedures, hysterectomies do come with some level of risks and the medical professional you’re dealing with should make these clear to you before you decide on whether to go ahead or not.
There’s a small risk of complications, including:
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to your bladder or bowel
- A serious reaction to the general anaesthetic
- Haemorrhage
- Thrombosis
- Ovary failure
- Early menopause
- Vaginal problems
Common Claims
Although negligence is rare, from time to time people will suffer as a result. Some of the most common examples of hysterectomy negligence claims include:
- Misdiagnosis or mistreatment of post-surgical infection
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Delayed diagnosis, or any symptoms that aren’t identified and treated quickly enough
- Anaesthetic errors
- Surgical puncturing of the bladder or bowel
If you feel like you have suffered as a result of one of the above, fill out a contact form or call us to speak with one of our experienced lawyers.
No Win No Fee
If you have been given the wrong blood type and have suffered an illness or injury because of this, it is normally considered to be negligent and a claim can be brought.
Youngs Law offer no win, no fee for all of our medical negligence claims, so if you don’t win your case and receive compensation, you don’t pay us a penny. We will also wait for any fee to be paid to us when you receive you compensation and not upon winning you case.
