Coconino County (Ariz) Superior Court
A 28-year-old woman presented to an Ob/Gyn reporting several days of vaginal spotting after a positive pregnancy test. No intrauterine pregnancy could be found on transvaginal ultrasound. Suspecting an ectopic pregnancy, the physician advised termination.
The plaintiff agreed, but later sued the doctor, alleging the pregnancy was actually intrauterine. She further claimed lack of informed consent and an inability to become pregnant.
The defendant maintained that the diagnosis was accurate, and noted that termination was necessary, since the condition’s consequences can be fatal. He also claimed informed consent was granted, and noted that the termination offered the woman the greatest chance of future fertility.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.