FAILED VASECTOMY - FEMALE STERILISATION FAILURE

The most permanent and reliable method of contraception is sterilisation which involves blocking, cutting or sealing the tubes that carry the sperm and eggs. The success rate is well over 99 per cent and failed vasectomy or female sterilisation failure is extremely uncommon but it can occur either due to medical negligence or when the tubes rejoin naturally.

Male sterilisation is known as a vasectomy and the process involves a small cut being made in skin of the scrotum under local anaesthetic and thereafter the tubes through which the sperm travels from the testicles to the penis are severed. The operation takes no more than 15 minutes and the scrotum usually recovers quickly. Sexual feelings, erections and climax remain unchanged. Sperm is still produced but is naturally absorbed by the body. A test will be performed to make sure there are no sperm left in the semen about 2 months after the operation which is deemed effective when the sperm count in the ejaculate is zero. According to the NHS the overall failed vasectomy rate is approximately 1 in 2,000.

In female sterilisation, the fallopian tubes which are responsible for carrying the egg from the ovary to the womb are blocked, cut or sealed in a surgical operation carried out under general anaesthetic. The cervix, ovaries and womb remain intact and sexual feelings and climax remain unchanged. The ovaries still produce hormones and also continue to release an egg every month but it is naturally absorbed by the body. Female sterilisation is immediately effective after the operation.

Every year there are thousands of parents who decide they families are complete and undergo these operations. Both procedures are highly effective but unwanted pregnancies occur frequently. Not all unwanted pregnancies are due to medical negligence if either the sperm duct has re-grown or the fallopian tubes have repaired themselves. This is a natural risk which couples are always warned about before the operation.

Whatever the cause, the news of unintended pregnancy can be overwhelming, especially in failed vasectomy cases where there might arise suspicions of disloyalty that can undermine longstanding relationships. Once they have got over the predicament, affected parents who believed their family was complete will then turn to the law to compensate them what they perceive to be medical negligence.

Under English law compensation for this type of medical negligence is always available. The courts will award financial compensation for the pain and suffering of birth, labour and delivery together with the costs of raising a child plus loss of income, nursery and school fees etc.

If you or a family member has suffered from failed sterilisation due to clinical negligence, you are entitled to financial compensation to cover all the costs incurred by unwanted pregnancy. In order to know what options you have you should seek expert legal advice as soon as possible. Our solicitors operate a free service whereby you can meet us in person or chat over the telephone with one of our friendly experts and obtain initial advice. If you subsequently decide to proceed no further then that is your right and you will not be charged for our initial advice.