Women have different healthcare problems and needs compared to those of men. Women tend to have reproductive needs that require specialized education, training, and experience, beyond that which a general practitioner receives. Most women start to see a gynecologist as part of their regular health checkups when they are in their mid to late teens.

Gynecological malpractice is a kind of medical malpractice that is usually the result of a gynecologist’s negligence.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a hospital, doctor, or other healthcare provider causes injury to a patient because of negligence or omission. This negligence can be the result of errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare or overall health management.

Gynecology

Gynecology is an important part of womens’ healthcare. Gynecologists specialize in all medical aspects of the female reproductive system including, the health of reproductive organs, pregnancy and prenatal care. Obstetrics is related to gynecology and focuses on the care of women and children before, during and after pregnancy. Unfortunately, the physical and psychological trauma of gynecological negligence can cause a lifetime of problems for victims of gynecological and obstetrics malpractice.

OBGYN Origins

OBGYN is a commonly used abbreviation for for a doctor that focuses on womens’ health.
OB is short for an obstetrician, which is a physician who delivers babies; or it can be short for the word, obstetrics.
GYN is short for gynecologist, a physician who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs, or for the word, gynecology.
The Greek gyno, comes from gynaikos, which means woman and logia means, “study.” Gynecology is a literal translation for, the study of women.

What Medications Can I Take for a Cold During Pregnancy?
How much do hospitals pay for malpractice?

OBGYN Malpractice

OBGYN malpractice is when an obstetrician or a gynecologist, or the staff of one of these doctors, fails to provide the minimum standard of care to a patient that is acceptable in the OBGYN medical community.

Gynecological Errors

Common gynecological negligence includes misread test results, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed conditions, contraception errors and failure to prevent pregnancies. Common gynecological errors and neglect that often lead to malpractice claims include but are not limited to:

– Adverse side effects or reactions to hormonal treatments or medications
– Complications from abortions
– Complications from hysterectomies
– Errors that occur during a D&C (dilation and crettage)
– Failed tubal ligations
– Failure to diagnose ectopic pregnancies
– Failure to diagnose conditions that result in low birth rates for newborns
– Failure to diagnose or detect conditions that may affect an otherwise
healthy pregnancy
– Infections, injuries, hemorrhaging, and sterilization as a result of surgical
procedures
– Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose cancers that affect female
reproductive organs
– Misread diagnostic tests

Any of the gynecological malpractice situations listed above, as well as ones not mentioned here, can lead to traumatic and long-term problems, and in some cases, death.

If you or someone you love has suffered because of obstetrician or gynecological malpractice, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a gynecological malpractice lawyer. If a family member has tragically died because of a gynecological error, discussing this horrific and unnecessary loss with a gynecological malpractice lawyer may help you and your family understand what your and your deceased loved one’s rights are.

Many victims of gynecological malpractice and in some situations, their immediate family members, are entitled to compensation. A gynecological malpractice lawyer who is licensed to practice in the state where the malpractice injury occurred is qualified to give legal advice to victims and their families. While enlisting the help of a gynecological malpractice lawyer cannot take away a victim’s injury or a family’s loss, it may help them to feel protected, and less alone in an awful situation.