You may be able to obtain misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy compensation if your doctor or medical professional was negligent.
An ectopic pregnancy alone is not necessarily a basis for a case. However, you can hold your doctor accountable for a failure to diagnose or a misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy.
Suffering an ectopic pregnancy can be traumatic.
If your doctor was negligent in the diagnosis or treatment, it can be particularly tragic and often lead to cascading physical and emotional consequences.
The repercussions of a misdiagnosed or undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy can be severe, including internal bleeding, infertility, loss of a fallopian tube, and can lead to life-threatening complications.
What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancies, where the embryo implants outside the uterus, can often be mistaken for other issues like miscarriages or abdominal problems. If an ultrasound shows no intrauterine pregnancy but symptoms are present, it’s important to consider the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy until it can be confirmed otherwise.
The fetus will begin to grow inside the fallopian tube, eventually becoming too large, causing the fallopian tube to rupture.
If this occurs, it is a medical emergency, and you must seek immediate treatment. It is so dangerous that it can lead to death if left undiagnosed or untreated.
Understanding the Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy
Recognizing the early signs of an ectopic pregnancy is crucial for preventing dangerous complications. The symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can vary, but some of the most common include sharp or stabbing abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding that differs from a normal period, dizziness or fainting, and shoulder pain caused by internal bleeding. These symptoms often appear between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, medical professionals sometimes misattribute these warning signs to other conditions, including miscarriage or gastrointestinal issues. If your provider failed to investigate these symptoms and you were later diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim due to negligence or diagnostic failure.
The Mayo Clinic and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) emphasize that ectopic pregnancy should always be ruled out when early pregnancy symptoms are accompanied by pain or abnormal bleeding.
Risk Factors for an Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy can happen to any woman. However, certain risk factors can make you more susceptible to an ectopic pregnancy. These include:
- History of ectopic pregnancy;
- Infertility and associated treatments (e.g., IVF);
- Prior fallopian tube surgery, including tubal ligation (i.e., tubes tied);
- Previous pelvic or abdominal surgery;
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs);
- Pelvic inflammatory disease;
- Smoking;
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs); and
- Endometriosis.
If you have certain risk factors and your medical provider ignored them or failed to address them adequately, and you suffered an ectopic pregnancy, you may be able to hold them liable.
The Dangers of a Failed Diagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy
A failed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy can have devastating consequences. If left untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding, infertility, or even death. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency, and failing to diagnose it promptly can be a catastrophic error in care.
Medical providers are trained to identify high-risk cases and use proper diagnostic tools like ultrasounds and hCG blood testing. Failing to follow standard medical protocols could constitute negligence. If you or a loved one experienced a failed diagnosis, an attorney can help you understand your legal options.
You don’t have to carry this pain alone. Let us help you find answers and accountability. Book a free consultation with us.
Standard of Care and Diagnosis Confirmation
To meet the accepted medical standard of care, physicians must thoroughly evaluate symptoms and perform proper diagnostic testing before ruling in or out an ectopic pregnancy. Best practices often include a combination of transvaginal ultrasounds, serial hCG level monitoring, and sometimes even diagnostic laparoscopy.
Failing to confirm the diagnosis through multiple tests can lead to either dangerous delays or unnecessary treatments like surgery or methotrexate administration when the pregnancy is actually intrauterine.
If a provider neglects these essential steps, it may constitute a breach of the standard of care — one of the critical elements in a malpractice claim.
Failure to Diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy Claims in Missouri
You may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim if your doctor failed to diagnose or treat an ectopic pregnancy.
You may be able to file an ectopic pregnancy lawsuit if any of the following occurred.
- Your doctor attributed your symptoms to something else and did not provide any treatment;
- Your doctor recognized and attributed your symptoms to an ectopic pregnancy but delayed treatment, leading to a ruptured fallopian tube or other serious condition;
- Your doctor failed to order testing to confirm an ectopic pregnancy diagnosis;
- Your doctor prescribed or administered the incorrect treatment or medications;
- Your doctor negligently performed surgery;
- Your doctor or radiologist missed the embryo/fetus on the scan; or
- Your doctor failed to recognize the symptoms and diagnose and treat them.
If you believe medical negligence led to your injuries from an ectopic pregnancy, we can assist you with obtaining a medical malpractice ectopic pregnancy settlement.
Remember, in Missouri, you generally only have two years from the date of injury to file a medical malpractice claim. Don’t wait.
Legal Action and What to Expect
If you are considering legal action due to an ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis, it’s important to understand what the process may involve. At Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen, our experienced team will thoroughly investigate your case by reviewing your medical records, consulting our on-staff medical professionals, and determining whether your provider’s actions fell below the accepted standard of care.
You may be entitled to compensation for physical injuries, emotional trauma, medical expenses, lost fertility, and other damages. These cases can be emotionally taxing, but you do not have to go through the process alone.
According to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, ectopic pregnancies occur in approximately 1 to 2% of all pregnancies. While rare, they account for a disproportionate number of maternal deaths in the first trimester, underscoring the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis.
Next Steps If You Suspect an Ectopic Pregnancy Misdiagnosis
If you believe you or a loved one suffered harm due to an ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis, contact a medical malpractice attorney immediately. Gather all available medical records, including ultrasounds, test results, and provider notes. Keep a journal of your symptoms, appointments, and communications with medical staff.
At Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen, we advocate for women and families affected by preventable medical errors. With deep roots in both Kansas and Missouri, we understand the region’s unique legal and medical landscape. We are here to listen to your story and fight for the justice you deserve.
Premier Missouri Medical Malpractice Lawyers
At Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen, our team has extensive experience successfully helping victims of the most severe medical malpractice.
We are well-respected among our peers, adversaries, and insurance companies. With full-time medical professionals on our staff, we leave no stone unturned when it comes to helping victims of medical negligence.
If you suffered this insurmountable loss and seek misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy compensation, schedule a free consultation with our team today.
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The legal team at Dempsey Kingsland Osteen works to ensure that the injured are fully compensated for their lasting injuries from medical malpractice or other negligence. We push for comprehensive damages that anticipate the long-term needs of our clients, rather than taking a quick settlement out of convenience.
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