An ectopic pregnancy lawsuit can allow those who suffered from an ectopic pregnancy due to medical negligence to pursue financial compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, birth injuries, or wrongful death. Contact Merson Law PLLC today if you believe you have a case.
YouTuber Abelina Sabrina recently shared a gut wrenching video detailing her experience with an ectopic pregnancy.
Her story is heartbreaking, and truly encapsulates how scary, painful, and devastating an ectopic pregnancy can be.
It also highlights the importance of advocating for one’s own healthcare, even if doctors, partners, and family don’t believe you or don’t understand the gravity of your medical situation.
Abelina Sabrina came up against several obstacles in her path to diagnosing and resolving what she knew to be an abnormal pregnancy, and ultimately, she suffered needlessly when doctors should have taken additional steps to determine the cause of her distress.
We’re glad to hear that she is doing much better now, and that she has a support network helping her cope with the emotional turmoil of such a tragic event. This isn’t the case for everyone though, and many expectant mothers have a similar experience to Abelina’s.
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fetus begins to form outside of the uterus, usually in one of the Fallopian tubes. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- Previous ectopic pregnancy
- Prior fallopian tube surgery
- Previous pelvic or abdominal surgery
- Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
As the fetus grows inside the Fallopian tube, eventually it becomes too large and can rupture the Fallopian tube from inside of you. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy is a major medical emergency. Without immediate medical treatment and surgery to remove the fetus, a ruptured ectopic pregnancy will kill you.
Risk Factors for Ectopic Pregnancy
Several risk factors can increase the likelihood of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy. These include:
- Previous ectopic pregnancy: If a woman has previously had an ectopic pregnancy, her risk of experiencing another one in the future is higher.
- Tubal damage or abnormalities: Any condition that affects the fallopian tubes, such as previous tubal surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or an infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea, can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
- Reproductive system surgeries or procedures: Surgeries involving the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries, as well as procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other assisted reproductive technologies, may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
- Previous pelvic surgery: Any surgery in the pelvic area, including surgeries for appendicitis or ovarian cyst removal, can lead to scarring or damage to the fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
- Hormonal factors: Certain hormonal conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), may be associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
- Maternal age: Women who are older, particularly those over the age of 35, may have a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy.
- Smoking: Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. It is believed that smoking can interfere with the normal functioning of the fallopian tubes.
- Intrauterine device (IUD) use: Although rare, there is a slightly increased risk of ectopic pregnancy in women who conceive while using an intrauterine device for birth control.
- Fertility treatments: Assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF, can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, mainly due to the potential for multiple embryos being transferred.
It’s important to note that while these risk factors increase the chances of an ectopic pregnancy, the condition can still occur in women without any known risk factors. If you suspect you may have an ectopic pregnancy or are experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, or shoulder pain, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Can you file an ectopic pregnancy lawsuit?
An ectopic pregnancy is not necessarily grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Ectopic pregnancies can occur for many different reasons, all of which are not your fault, nor the fault of any doctor or medical professional. If you had an ectopic pregnancy that was caught and treated properly, you cannot file and win a lawsuit merely on the grounds that you had an ectopic pregnancy.
However, you can file an ectopic pregnancy lawsuit if it was not diagnosed by a doctor, or if you were given inappropriate or incorrect treatment for it.
If any of the following occurred, you may be able to file an ectopic pregnancy lawsuit:
- The doctor misread your symptoms of ectopic pregnancy and did not provide any treatment.
- You received a routine scan, but when the doctor or radiology technician did not find the fetus in the uterus, they did not order additional tests or make arrangements for additional medical care.
- The doctor recognized your symptoms, but did not take action to take further tests or diagnose your ectopic pregnancy.
- The doctor diagnosed your ectopic pregnancy but delayed your treatment, which resulted in further complications, such as a ruptured fallopian tube.
- The doctor prescribed incorrect or inappropriate medications when the ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed early.
- The doctor was negligent or careless while performing surgery.
Abelina Sabrina experienced several of these issues during her process of diagnosing and treating her ectopic pregnancy. We highly recommend you watch her video, though she does discuss other topics such as emotional abuse and other struggles in her relationship with her ex boyfriend.
If you had an ectopic pregnancy and experienced any of the inappropriate actions listed above, or if your story is similar to Abelina’s, you may be entitled to financial compensation because of medical malpractice.
Your compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and more. You may also be entitled to compensation for your emotional and physical suffering, which may have occurred needlessly.
Contact Merson Law PLLC today by calling the number at the top of your screen or by filling out our confidential contact form if you wish to pursue an ectopic pregnancy lawsuit.
