Women have different health care needs than men. Effective preventative, sexual and reproductive care for women requires specialized education, training, and experience beyond that which all doctors obtain. Gynecologists spend years focusing on the unique issues and challenges of caring for women’s health, and women rely on that focus when they seek consultations, screenings, and treatment. But gynecologists, like all doctors, make mistakes. Here’s what you need to know.
Types of Gynecological Errors
Most women begin to see gynecologists in their late teens, early 20s, or sooner if they are sexually active or have other specific issues. Medical malpractice related to women’s health can occur at any point in a woman’s life and extend well into adulthood and after menopause.
Some of the most frequent instances of gynecological malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis or failure to detect, diagnose or timely treat breast cancer due to a failure to conduct breast examinations and mammograms or the failure to properly interpret and follow up on a mammogram with an ultrasound or biopsy
- Failure to detect, diagnose, or timely treat cervical or uterine cancer because of a failure to order or properly perform a pap smear
- Hysterectomy errors
- Negligence treating fibroid tumors or endometriosis
- Complications arising from abortions
- Failed tubal ligations
- Adverse side effects or reactions to medications or hormonal treatments
- Medication errors
- Infection, injury, hemorrhage or sterilization because of a surgical error
In the most egregious examples, doctors engage in sexual assault and abuse, as the allegations against U.S Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar and University of Southern California health center gynecologist George Tyndall have shown. Unwanted touching, even by a doctor, is another form of medical malpractice.
Help, Support, and Compensation for Women and Their Families
Gynecological malpractice can devastate women, their children, and their families. These errors may leave serious illnesses or cancers undetected or untreated, diminish or destroy normal sexual function, impact fertility or the ability to safely bear children, or lead to serious injuries or death.
When doctors fail to meet the requisite standard of care and their errors have catastrophic or fatal consequences, those physicians need to be held accountable for the damage left in their wake. The Michigan medical malpractice attorneys at Sommers Schwartz stand with women whose lives have been forever changed because of gynecological errors, using the depth of their experience, their tenacious advocacy, and their tireless commitment to get malpractice victims the compensation and resources that can help them move forward.
Consult a Gynecological Malpractice Attorney Today
Women who suspect they have been victims of gynecological errors likely don’t have the medical knowledge to know whether an avoidable mistake was made and may lack the legal knowledge to know whether they have a claim for compensation. That is why we offer free initial consultations for women who have questions or concerns about the treatment their gynecologist provided.
Our medical malpractice lawyers will listen to your concerns, answer your questions and conduct a thorough analysis of the facts and circumstances surrounding your doctor’s conduct and care.
Our seasoned team of attorneys, nurses, and experts will investigate your claim and determine the best course of action to obtain the best possible outcome.
Please contact us today to review your case.
Richard D. Fox
Richard Fox handles personal injury cases, including birth trauma, medical malpractice, and motor vehicle negligence. Throughout his career, which has spanned over 45 years, Rick has successfully represented clients in medical negligence and other personal injury claims.
