Gynaecology Negligence Compensation Claims
Check if you can claim compensation
When gynaecological treatment goes wrong, it can affect your health, your fertility and how you feel about yourself. If a diagnosis was missed, surgery caused avoidable harm, or you were not properly advised before an operation, you may be able to claim. We handle gynaecology negligence compensation claims across the UK and we will explain your options clearly and with care.
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Can you make a gynaecology negligence claim?
Gynaecological negligence means care for a condition affecting your reproductive health that fell below a reasonable standard and caused harm. It can involve a missed or delayed diagnosis, a mistake during surgery, an infection that was not spotted or treated, or an operation you were not properly advised about beforehand.
You may be able to make a gynaecology negligence compensation claim if the care you received fell short and that caused you avoidable harm. Not every complication is negligent, because some procedures carry risk even when care is good, so our team will look honestly at what happened and tell you whether you have a claim. Most gynaecological negligence claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.
How gynaecology negligence happens
Many gynaecologist negligence claims begin with symptoms that were not taken seriously. Pain, bleeding or other warning signs get put down to something routine, a smear test result is misread or not followed up, or a referral for further tests comes too late. With conditions like cervical or ovarian cancer, that delay can change the outcome.
Others follow a mistake in treatment: damage to the bowel, bladder or ureter during a hysterectomy or keyhole surgery, a sterilisation that failed, or an operation that went ahead without the risks and alternatives being properly explained. Where the care fell short and left you worse off, you may be entitled to claim.
of clinical claims recorded in NHS Resolution’s 2023/24 specialty data were attributed to gynaecology
Gynaecology was one of the larger named specialty categories for clinical claims that year. If substandard gynaecological care caused you avoidable harm, you may be able to make a clinical negligence claim.
Types of gynaecological negligence we help with
These are some of the most common gynaecology negligence claims we see. If what happened to you is not listed, it is still worth asking.
Missed or delayed cancer diagnosis
Cervical, ovarian or womb cancer diagnosed late because symptoms were dismissed, a smear was misread, or a referral was delayed.
Gynaecology surgery negligence
Avoidable damage to the bowel, bladder or ureter during a hysterectomy, laparoscopy or other procedure, or injuries that were not repaired promptly.
Unnecessary hysterectomy
A hysterectomy carried out when alternatives were not offered, the risks were not explained, or the operation was not justified.
Failed sterilisation and contraception errors
A sterilisation that failed or was done poorly, a coil (IUD) fitted badly or left to perforate the womb, or contraceptive advice that fell short.
Missed infections and complications
An infection or internal injury after surgery or childbirth that was not spotted or treated in time, sometimes leading to sepsis or further surgery.
Prolapse and mesh complications
Problems after prolapse repair or vaginal mesh surgery, including complications that were not explained or dealt with properly.
Delayed endometriosis diagnosis
Years of pain, heavy bleeding or bowel and bladder symptoms put down to something else, without the scans, referral or laparoscopy that would have found it sooner.
Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy injuries
Perforation of the womb, or damage to the bowel or bladder during a diagnostic or keyhole procedure, including injuries that were not spotted afterwards.
Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage mismanagement
An ectopic pregnancy missed or diagnosed late, or miscarriage care that fell below standard and caused avoidable harm.
Smear and cervical screening errors
A smear result reported incorrectly, an abnormal result not followed up, or a recall that never happened.
Retained swabs or instruments
Surgical material left behind after an operation, and the further surgery and infection that can follow.
Tears, incontinence and nerve damage
Perineal or vaginal tears that were missed or poorly repaired, and lasting incontinence or nerve damage after gynaecological surgery.
The harm can range from a longer recovery and further treatment to loss of fertility and lasting physical or psychological effects. Tell us what happened and we will let you know where you stand.
Gynaecology surgery negligence claims
Most gynaecology surgery claims are not about the operation being difficult. They are about what was done, or missed, on the day and afterwards.
Damage to the bowel, bladder or ureter during a hysterectomy, laparoscopy or repair is a recognised risk, but it should be identified and put right quickly. A claim usually turns on whether the injury itself fell below the standard expected, or whether the delay in spotting it did.
The same applies to recovery. Signs of infection, internal bleeding or a leak that go unanswered can turn a setback into a second operation, a long admission or lasting harm. If that is closer to your experience, tell us what happened after your surgery as well as during it.
Unnecessary hysterectomy claims
A hysterectomy is a major operation and, for many women, a life-changing one. It can mean the end of fertility, early menopause and a long recovery. Before it goes ahead, you should be told why it is needed, what the risks are, and whether anything less drastic could be tried first.
If alternatives were never discussed, the risks were not properly explained, or the operation was not justified by your condition, you may have a hysterectomy negligence claim. We will go through what you were told, and what you should have been told, at your pace.
- Less invasive treatments were never mentioned to you
- The risks, including early menopause, were not explained
- You felt rushed into the decision, with little time to ask questions
- You later found out the operation may not have been needed
Consent matters in these claims. Agreeing to an operation is not the same as being properly informed about it.
- The injury itself and how it affects your daily life
- The cost of further treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost earnings, now and in the future
- Care, help at home and other expenses
How much compensation for gynaecological negligence?
There is no single figure, and no reliable average. Compensation for gynaecological negligence depends on the harm the poor care caused, how it has affected your health and your life, and the financial impact that followed. A complication that was put right is very different from the loss of your fertility.
We will never promise a set amount. Once medical evidence sets out what happened and how it has affected you, your solicitor can explain what your gynaecology negligence claim may include.
What a gynaecology negligence settlement can include
A settlement is usually built from two parts. The first reflects the harm itself: pain, further surgery, lasting symptoms, and where it applies the loss of fertility or an early menopause. The second covers what it cost you, such as treatment you paid for, earnings lost while you recovered, help at home, and travel to appointments.
Psychological harm counts too. Anxiety, depression and the effect on relationships and intimacy are part of the injury in these claims, and counselling or therapy can be included in what the claim covers.
Your solicitor can explain what your claim is likely to include once the independent expert evidence is in.
Evidence that supports your claim
Gynaecological negligence claims rely on your medical records and expert evidence, so most of the work is ours. You do not need to gather everything before you get in touch.
Not sure you have enough? Get in touch anyway. We can request your records and arrange the independent expert evidence for you.
No Win No Fee gynaecology negligence claims
You can start a gynaecology negligence compensation claim without paying anything upfront. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay a fee for our work, subject to the terms of your agreement.
If your claim succeeds, an agreed success fee is deducted from your compensation. Your solicitor will explain this clearly before you commit to anything.
You will see the full terms in writing before your claim begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before starting your claim.
Can you claim compensation for gynaecology negligence?
You may be able to, if your gynaecological care fell below a reasonable standard and that caused you avoidable harm. Not every complication is negligent, because some procedures carry risk even with good care, so both parts need to be shown: that the care fell short, and that it made a difference to your health. Our team can assess whether you have a gynaecology negligence claim.
How much compensation will I get for gynaecology negligence?
There is no average, and any figure quoted before the medical evidence exists is guesswork. The amount reflects the harm the poor care caused and what it cost you: further surgery, lasting symptoms, loss of fertility where that applies, lost earnings, treatment and help at home. Psychological harm and counselling can be included as well. Your solicitor will give you a realistic view once the independent gynaecology expert has reported.
Can I claim if my endometriosis diagnosis was delayed?
Possibly. Endometriosis is often slow to diagnose, and a delay on its own is not automatically negligent. What matters is whether your symptoms should have prompted scans, a referral or a laparoscopy sooner, and whether the delay left you worse off, for example through more extensive surgery or damage to your fertility. Tell us when you first reported your symptoms and what you were told.
Can I claim for an injury during a hysteroscopy or laparoscopy?
You may be able to. Perforation of the womb and damage to the bowel or bladder are recognised risks of these procedures, so the injury alone does not prove negligence. A claim usually depends on whether the procedure was carried out to the standard expected, and whether the injury was spotted and repaired quickly enough afterwards.
Can I ask to be examined by a female medical expert?
Yes. If your claim needs a medical examination, you can ask for a female expert and we will arrange one wherever possible. Tell us at the start. Not every claim requires an examination, because many are assessed on your records alone, and we will explain what your claim needs before anything is arranged.
Will my claim be made public?
Almost all claims settle without a court hearing and without your name appearing anywhere. Your medical records are shared with the other side’s legal team and the medical experts, who are bound by confidentiality. If a claim does reach court, we will explain what that involves before it gets that far.
Can I claim for an unnecessary hysterectomy?
Possibly, yes. If a hysterectomy went ahead without alternatives being offered, without the risks being properly explained, or without good clinical reason, you may have a claim. It can reflect the loss of fertility, early menopause, physical injury and the psychological impact. Consent is central here: agreeing to the operation is not the same as being properly informed about it.
Can I claim if my cervical or ovarian cancer was diagnosed late?
You may be able to, if the delay happened because your care fell short. That can include symptoms that were dismissed, a smear test that was misread or not followed up, or a referral that should have been made sooner. An independent expert will look at whether an earlier diagnosis should have been made and what difference it would have realistically made to your treatment and outcome.
Can I claim for a failed sterilisation?
Sometimes. Sterilisation has a small failure rate even when it is done properly, so a failure on its own is not always negligence. A claim may be possible where the procedure was carried out poorly, where a problem was missed afterwards, or where you were not properly warned about the risk of failure. Similar claims can arise from a badly fitted coil or one that perforated the womb. Our team can tell you where your situation sits.
How long do I have to make a gynaecology negligence claim?
In most cases you have three years, running from the negligent care or from when you first realised the harm was linked to it. There are exceptions: for children the three years usually run from their 18th birthday, and for someone who lacks the mental capacity to bring a claim, the time limit may not apply while that is the case. It is best to check rather than assume you are out of time, or read our guide to medical negligence time limits.
Check if you can make a gynaecology negligence claim
Tell us what happened with your care and we will look into it. We know this can be difficult to talk about. You will be listened to, your details stay confidential, and there is no obligation to go ahead.
- Free, no-obligation review
- No Win No Fee available
- SRA-regulated solicitors
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Not sure if you have a claim?
Most gynaecology negligence compensation claims must be started within three years, but the rules are different for children and for anyone who lacks the capacity to claim. A free, confidential chat is the simplest way to find out where you stand, with no pressure and no obligation to go ahead.
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