A patient in Victoria, Australia is suing her doctor for treating her with the add-on dexamethasone during IVF treatment, which she alleges caused her to develop mania and psychosis.
Amanda Hunter and her partner had IVF at Monash IVF clinic where they were advised by Dr Nick Lolatgis that the steroid medication was needed for an autoimmune condition and to prevent miscarriage. She alleges these were 'unnecessary and experimental' treatments which resulted in her hospitalisation seven weeks later.
Hunter's lawyer Shari Liby told Margaret River Mail that Hunter was seeking damages for pain, suffering and financial loss.
'We're also seeking exemplary and aggravated damages on the basis that what she experienced amounts to acts of wrongdoing in contumelious disregard of her rights,'
'This is a remedy that is very rarely sought in medical negligence cases and its inclusion in our statement of claim arises from just how concerned we are regarding the care Amanda was provided.'
A pre-trial hearing will take place 3 February.
