Sterilisation is a life changing decision that should be thought through and happen out of your own free will. This is not the experience Lindsey Clark described to the Sunday Mirror.
During two pregnancies, Ms Clark suffered from pre-eclampsia.
Some pregnant women experience this life-threatening condition, usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy or soon after the birth.
Early-signs can include hypertension and proteinuria. Further signs can be diagnosed by vision problems, severe headache, pain just below the ribs and swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands caused by fluid oedema.
While pregnant with her second child, Ms Clark was warned that any more pregnancies will mean she will be risking her life. Despite the grim news, she planned to have more children in the future.
The first time she heard about sterilisation was on the same day as her planned C-section.
A midwifed first asked what contraception the soon-to-be mother of two was planning to use after the surgery, before mentioning sterilisation.
She was categorically informed that the procedure would not happen that day.
The 34-year-old was horrified to have woken up from the C-section, only to be informed that the doctors in charge of her operation sterilised her without her permission.
This happened even though she did not desire the procedure and had not given her consent, written or otherwise.
Ms Clark had said she could not believe that the doctors took away her choice to have more children. It left her devastated.
Even though the procedure can be reversed, it is a difficult task, with low chances of success.
The £25,000 she received in compensation is bitter sweet.
The acknowledgement from the Leeds NHS Trust, which oversaw Ms Clarke’s operation, about its shortcomings does not seem like enough of an apology for what they have done.
Now five years after being sterilised, Ms Clark is speaking out about the incident to help other woman who might have went through a similar experience.
Ms Clark dreamed of having a big family with her partner Martin. Unfortunately, that decision was taken away from her by doctors who disregarded her freedom of choice.
It is unfathomable to think that they would perform such as serious procedure without their patient’s consent. This shows serious negligence from the side of medical professionals.
If you or one of your loved ones have been the victim of medical negligence like Ms Clarke, we want you to know that help is out there.
As specialists in catastrophic injury and serious injury claims, including medical negligence, we know how to help you get the compensation you deserve for the pain you have been through.
We will help you win your claim with minimal stress and disruption so that you can concentrate on getting your life back on track. We know it may not be possible to meet face to face with us, so we offer the free consultation either at your home, on Skype, Facetime or any other preferred method.
We offer a ‘no win no fee’ agreement (CFA), to ease any worries you may have about paying legal fees when choosing to make a claim for medical negligence.
Do not wait before it is too late. Normally you have three years in which to make a claim, from either the date of your negligent care or from the point where it was discovered that negligent treatment was responsible for your injuries.
Fill out a claim form here or call our team on 0151 306 3694 to discuss your circumstances.