Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe went to Roe OB-GYN, complaining of dark brown spotting. A urine pregnancy test was positive. Doe also had a blood draw for a quantitative HCG and progesterone, and plans were made for a follow-up appointment in two weeks. The next day, Doe was called back to the office after testing showed low HCG and progesterone levels. Ultrasounds showed no intrauterine activity, and Doe allegedly was told she had suffered an early miscarriage.

Three days later, the practice allegedly sent Doe a message that her HCG was beginning to come down and that she should notify the office if her bleeding did not stop within a week. A week later, Doe went to a hospital ER. An ultrasound was suspicious for ectopic pregnancy, prompting a laparotomy, which revealed a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Doe sued the physician and the practice, alleging failure to timely diagnose the ectopic pregnancy. The plaintiff asserted that the defendants should have performed serial quantitative HCG testing every two to three days to determine whether her values were falling. Had the pregnancy been diagnosed earlier, the plaintiff argued, she would not have suffered the rupture.

The parties settled for approximately $283,400.

Citation: Doe v. Roe, Confidential Dkt. No. (Va. Confidential Ct. Nov. 18, 2022).

Plaintiff counsel: Richard M. Reed, Manassas, Va.