A Leeds woman has received compensation after an incorrect diagnosis led to an unnecessary hysterectomy.
Daisy, 17, was pregnant with her first child and looking forward to motherhood.
She was admitted one morning to Leeds General Infirmary with abdominal pain, vomiting, not passing urine and no foetal movements. The midwives incorrectly thought Daisy had a urinary tract infection and then failed to adequately monitor her deteriorating condition or consider an alternative diagnosis.
An ultrasound was eventually performed late in the evening, which showed that the baby had died and that the placenta had become detached (known as a placental abruption).
An emergency caesarean section was carried out and the baby was still born. Unfortunately, the medical staff were unable to stop the internal bleeding caused by the placental abruption and so they had to carry out a sub-total hysterectomy in order to save Daisy's life.
The hospital admitted that they had failed to provide Daisy with the required standard of care by failing to diagnose earlier that a placental abruption had occurred. Had they diagnosed the problem sooner, she would not have had to undergo a hysterectomy.
Daisy has since received a formal written apology from the hospital and an out of court settlement of compensation was agreed, with help from Margaret Poyner of Irwin Mitchell's specialist Medical Negligence Team.
She said, "Although it would never have been possible to save the baby’s life, the fact that my client has had to undergo a hysterectomy has had a profound ongoing effect on her life.
"My client has found it extremely difficult to come to terms with what has happened and the fact that she will never be able to have her own children. She will have to look to surrogacy or adoption when she decides to start a family and will also likely undergo premature menopause."
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a delayed or misdiagnosed medical condition, our clinical negligence lawyers could help you claim compensation. See our Medical Misdiagnosis Claims page for more information.
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