The case has been followed by many people living with endometriosis.
– I am so incredibly relieved. This has been a great stress and burden, says Raasholm Larby in one press release.
She finds it good to have confirmation through the judgment that the three treatment centers – two GP offices and a hospital – did not provide her with health care in line with good medical practice.
– No patient should have to go through what I have experienced, and I hope the state will accept the verdict so that more patients can feel confident that their legal security is safeguarded, she says.
It is not known whether the state will appeal the verdict. Lawyer Bianca Reichelt, who led the case before the Patient Injury Board, refers to the communications department in the National Complaints Body for the Health Service. NTB has not been able to get a comment from them.
Waited for years
Already at the age of 13, Raasholm Larby went to the doctor to get help with severe menstrual pains and several other related ailments. Only 14 years later – after countless visits to first one and then another GP – was she referred to a gynaecologist.
The investigation resulted in her being sent to Innlandet hospital for surgery. But the hospital did not speak to her before the operation and therefore did not get a good enough understanding of the ailments. They did not investigate the extent of the endometriosis well enough and did not provide her with adequate follow-up, according to the judgement.
It was only after she attended a lecture on endometriosis that Raasholm Larby came forward. The senior doctor who gave the lecture advised her to seek health care at Vestfold hospital. There she was diagnosed with deep, infiltrating endometriosis which had affected a number of organs. Today she struggles with pain after nerve damage and other chronic ailments.
Seek compensation, but lost
Raasholm Larby, who is today the general manager of the Endometriosis Association, applied for patient compensation, but lost and was also not successful when she complained about the decision. She therefore took legal action against the state for delayed and inadequate diagnosis and treatment.
On behalf of the state, lawyer Reichelt argued that the treatment was in accordance with good medical practice and current guidelines.
An earlier diagnosis probably would not have stopped the endometriosis from developing, argued Reichelt.
Now the Østre Innlandet district court has given her full support. The court has come to the conclusion that there was a failure in the healthcare provision both by the GPs and at the Innlandet Hospital, and that this failure has caused her damage beyond the basic illness.
Raasholm Larby is therefore entitled to compensation from the Patient Injury Board, the judgment states. The state is also ordered to cover the legal costs.
– Unacceptable to have to go to court
This is a victory for women’s health, writes the Endometriosis Association, which is very happy about the verdict. At the same time, the case sheds light on a serious problem in women’s legal security within the healthcare system, believes chairman Marte Øien. It should not be necessary to go to court to be successful in such clear patient cases, she believes.
– It is unacceptable that patients like Elisabeth have to fight the system for years to get their illness recognized and get the necessary help, says Øien.
The recently established national expertise service for endometriosis is an important step, but far from sufficient, she believes, and makes a direct appeal to the Minister of Health and Care, Jan Christian Vestre:
– He must ensure that the legal security of female patients is strengthened so that no more have to suffer the same fate as Elisabeth, she says.
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**Interview with Raasholm Larby, General Manager of the Endometriosis Association**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Raasholm. Your recent legal victory has brought significant attention to the challenges faced by those with endometriosis. How are you feeling after the verdict?
**Raasholm Larby**: Thank you for having me. I am incredibly relieved. Winning this case has lifted a huge burden off my shoulders. It’s affirming to know that the treatment I received was substandard and that this kind of neglect is being recognized legally.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned in your statement that no patient should have to go through what you’ve experienced. Can you elaborate on this?
**Raasholm Larby**: Absolutely. From the age of 13, I sought help for severe menstrual pains, yet it took 14 years of persistent visits to various doctors before I was referred to a specialist. This prolonged struggle not only affected my physical health but also took a toll on my mental well-being. It’s crucial for patients to feel that their concerns are validated and that they receive timely and adequate care.
**Interviewer**: Your case has been closely followed by many in the endometriosis community. Why do you think this verdict is particularly important for them?
**Raasholm Larby**: This verdict serves as a beacon of hope for many who feel overlooked or dismissed by the healthcare system. It gives them a sense of legal security and encourages them to advocate for their health. My hope is that the state will accept the verdict, which would further strengthen the trust patients have in our health services.
**Interviewer**: You’ve also mentioned struggles with compensation claims in the past. Can you tell us about that experience?
**Raasholm Larby**: Yes, I applied for patient compensation but was denied. It was disheartening, especially since I felt deeply affected by the lack of adequate care. After the denial, I decided to take legal action to highlight systemic failures in the healthcare system that many patients with endometriosis face.
**Interviewer**: What are your plans moving forward, regardless of whether the state appeals the verdict?
**Raasholm Larby**: I intend to continue advocating for better awareness and care for endometriosis. There needs to be more education for both medical professionals and patients. I hope this case encourages more discussions around the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment, as well as better training for healthcare providers.
**Interviewer**: Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Raasholm. Your advocacy work is invaluable, and we hope you continue to see the changes you’re striving for in the healthcare system.
**Raasholm Larby**: Thank you for shining a light on this important issue. It’s vital we keep this conversation going.
