Spoliation of Evidence
Failure to Diagnose Appendicitis
Failure to Diagnose Stroke
Thousands of legal abortions are performed in this country every year, and although most are completed without complications, there are certain risks connected with the procedure, some of which can be life threatening. A physician must adequately warn the patient of the risks inherent in the procedure. Medical malpractice cases arise when a patient claims that she was not informed about the risks of the procedure or that it was the negligence of her physician that caused or contributed to complications from an abortion. Women who have negligently performed procedures may suffer perforation of the uterus, infection, and endotoxic shock. Some complications resulting from an improperly performed abortion may be long-term, such as an increased risk of certain cancers and future ectopic pregnancies.
Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, operate by altering the hormonal structure of the body. For this reason, they have more side effects than other forms of contraception. Therefore, the decision to use birth control pills should only be made after the physician takes a careful history, does a thorough examination, and discusses all possible risks with the patient. Due to the nature of oral contraceptives and the possibly of adverse effects, informed consent is crucial.
