Introduction

Diagnosing or Treating Infertility: Liability Risks
Infertility affects about 12% of women between age 15 and 44 and about 7% of sexually experienced men younger than age 45 in the United States. 7.3 million U.S. women, or their husbands or partners, have sought treatment for infertility.

A variety of factors, including disease or trauma to reproductive organs, can cause infertility. Errors or negligence by health care providers treating other medical conditions may in some cases cause patient infertility. In addition, errors or negligence by providers in performing medical procedures to diagnose or treat infertility sometimes can result in injuries to patients.

Attorneys, physicians, hospitals, insurers, employers, and other potential parties to litigation should be aware of the types of lawsuits and other liability issues that arise in connection with the diagnosis or treatment of infertility.