MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Endometriosis Negligence Claims - What You Need to Know
You knew something was wrong. You went back again and again, described the pain, and were told it was normal, or that it was something else. Being dismissed like that is exhausting, and you shouldn't have had to go through it.
Endometriosis that goes undiagnosed or untreated can take over your life. The pain, exhaustion and emotional strain are hard enough without being told your symptoms are nothing to worry about.
A 2024 report by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee described this as medical misogyny: a failure across the health system to take women's pain seriously.
If your endometriosis diagnosis was delayed, or a GP or gynaecologist brushed your symptoms aside, you may be able to make a medical negligence claim. Where the care you received fell below a reasonable standard and caused you harm, you could be entitled to compensation.
1 in 10
women in the UK have endometriosis
£0 upfront
you pay nothing to start a No Win No Fee claim
3 years
the usual time limit to start a claim, often from when you realised you were harmed
NHS or private
you can claim for negligent care from either
What is endometriosis, and why is it so often missed?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body. It can cause severe pain, internal scarring and problems getting pregnant.
Common symptoms include:
• pain in the pelvis or abdomen
• periods that are very painful or very heavy
• ongoing tiredness and low energy
• pain or bleeding linked to the bladder or bowel
Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women in the UK. Even so, it is regularly mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), written off as ordinary period pain, or missed altogether. A lack of awareness around women's reproductive health, and a tendency not to take women's pain seriously, are often behind this.
The longer endometriosis goes without treatment, the worse the symptoms can become. Delay raises the risk of complications, including fertility problems and lasting damage to organs.
When is a missed endometriosis diagnosis medical negligence?
Medical negligence happens when a healthcare professional fails in their duty of care, and that failure causes harm that could have been avoided. You may have a claim if any of these happened to you:
✓ Your GP or specialist didn't investigate or refer you, even though your symptoms kept coming back
✓ You were diagnosed with a different condition, such as IBS, instead of endometriosis
✓ Tests, scans or treatment were delayed
✓ Your follow-up was poor, or your care was mismanaged after you were diagnosed
A wrong diagnosis isn't automatically negligent. But if the care you received fell below the standard a reasonable doctor would provide, and that made things worse for you, you may have grounds for a claim.
Many women describe being handed the contraceptive pill as a quick fix and sent away, without anyone looking into what was causing their pain.
Not sure whether your care was negligent? Tell us what happened and we'll explain where you stand
A strong claim usually rests on four things, your solicitor handles each of them with you.
How an endometriosis negligence claim is built
GP appointments, referrals, scan results and test results.
Your medical records
A medical expert reviews whether your care fell below an acceptable standard.
Independent expert evidence
How the delay or wrong diagnosis made things worse, such as more pain, fertility problems, emotional distress or extra surgery.
Evidence of the harm
A link between the two
Showing that proper care would have prevented or reduced what you went through. This is called causation.
Time limits apply
In England and Wales, you usually have three years to start a medical negligence claim. That time runs from the date of the negligence, or from the date you first realised you had been harmed by it, if that came later.
Many women only learn years afterwards that their endometriosis should have been picked up sooner, so it's worth getting advice as soon as you can.
What compensation could you receive?
Every claim is different, but compensation can include:
• General damages for your pain, suffering and the effect on your everyday life
• Special damages for financial losses, such as lost earnings, ongoing treatment and future care
• Losses specific to endometriosis, such as the cost of fertility treatment, emotional harm or repeat operations
For example, suppose you were misdiagnosed for years and later needed major surgery. Your compensation would reflect both the physical pain and the financial impact of that delay. The amount you receive depends on the facts of your case and the medical evidence.
Want to know if you have a claim? It's free to ask, and there's no obligation.
Why choose Medical Claim Direct?
Medical Claim Direct focuses solely on medical negligence. Your claim is handled by the specialist clinical negligence team at NJS Law who have wide experience of women's health and gynaecology negligence cases. We know endometriosis affects far more than your body, and we'll handle your claim with care and understanding.
✓ No Win No Fee. You won’t pay anything upfront to start your claim.
✓ England and Wales. We help clients wherever they live in England and Wales.
✓ Specialist knowledge. Your case is run by solicitors who understand both the medical and legal sides.
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Yes, you may be able to. If a doctor failed to diagnose or treat your endometriosis properly, and that failure caused you harm, you could have a medical negligence claim.
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Usually three years, from either the date of the negligence or the date you became aware of the harm it caused. Different rules apply to children and to people who lack mental capacity.
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Yes. You can claim for negligent private treatment as well as NHS treatment.
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If being told you had IBS delayed the right treatment and your symptoms got worse, or it affected your fertility or finances, get legal advice as soon as you can.