If your trust in the healthcare system has been shattered by first-hand experience of obstetric negligence, we can offer support and help to secure compensation to make life more manageable.
If you have suffered obstetric negligence during childbirth, we can offer advice and legal support – get in touch or call 0191 5666 500 to discuss your case.
When a mother or their new-born child suffer physical injuries or experience significant emotional distress because of obstetric negligence during childbirth, the effects could have far-reaching consequences.
Giving birth is meant to be a transformative time filled with hope and love. Sadly, mistakes can happen at any point during maternity care and things do sometimes go wrong in childbirth. Such circumstances often result in severe repercussions for mother, baby or both.
Whether mistakes occur during pregnancy (antenatally), in labour or immediately after giving birth (postpartum), it can impact upon many aspects of daily life and may place an emotional strain on relationships.
In cases where the obstetric negligence of a midwife or obstetrician has caused below-standard care and negatively affected you or your family, we could help pursue a case for compensation.
Arrange a free consultation with our friendly solicitors today – get in touch or call 0191 5666500 for an informal discussion. Any information will be treated in the strictest confidence and there’s no obligation to start a claim.
What type of obstetric negligence can affect your baby?
Obstetric negligence is a broad term which actually encompasses a wide range of errors that can be caused by healthcare professionals during childbirth.
Common examples of obstetric claims include:
- Mismanaged labour or delivery
- Cerebral Palsy
- Congenital Hip Dysplasia
- Brachial Plexus injuries
- Erb’s Palsy
- Birth Asphyxia
- Undetected foetus abnormality
- Ectopic pregnancy – failure to diagnose or treat
- Forceps delivery or ventouse delivery
- Incorrect sutured episiotomy
- Undiagnosed Down’s Syndrome
- Hypoglycaemia & Neonatal illnesses
- Neonatal death
High-risk pregnancy issues which may lead to negligence include:
- Mum & Baby blood groups incompatible – Rhesus incompatibility
- Vaginal birth after previous caesarean (VBAC)
- Group B Streptococcal Infection
- Twins or multiple pregnancy
- Pre-eclampsia
- Anaesthetic awareness
- Maternal diabetes or epilepsy
Obstetric emergencies or complications may include:
- Cardiac or cardiovascular complications
- Negligent instrument use – forceps
- Hyperstimulation – from Syntocinon medication
- Shoulder dystocia
- Vaginal breech delivery
- Placenta abruption
- Foetal impacted head
- Delivery Delays
What obstetric negligence types can affect mothers?
Any mother who suffers a physical injury or emotional distress as a result of poor practice during childbirth could be eligible for obstetric negligence compensation, regardless of whether her child has been injured or not.
Common maternal injury types caused by obstetric negligence include:
- Vaginal and perineal tears involving anal sphincter
- Perineal injury – failure to manage, recognise or adequately repair
- Uterine rupture
- Eclampsia complications
- Fits, seizures and organ failure
- Severe post-partum haemorrhage
- Cardiac, thrombosis and coagulation issues
- Severe allergic reaction – Anaphylaxis
- Negligent anaesthetic management
- Sepsis and infection
- Haemorrhaging
- Psychological injury
- Future childbearing problems
- Negligent postnatal care
- Anticoagulant management
- Maternal death
No Win, No Fee Obstetric Claims Explained
In most obstetric claims, we can pursue your case on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis – providing affordable access to justice.
By using a ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreement (known as a Conditional Fee Agreement or CFA) you won’t pay a penny if lost the case. In essence, this allows you to take legal action without having to weigh up whether the case is a risk worth taking.
If your case is not successful, you won’t pay a penny. In effect, we share the risk with you because we only get paid if you win.
Should you win and secure compensation, your opponent will usually cover most of your legal costs. You will also need to pay a success fee from the final amount of compensation.
There are a number of ways to fund a case and all other methods will be explained before you decide whether to pursue a claim and the most suitable solution.
Our approach to Obstetric Negligence Compensations Claims
Obstetrics negligence cases are complex from an emotional point of view and a legal perspective, but we fully understand the challenges families face in these situations.
During this sensitive time, we adopt a hand-holding approach and support you at every step. We will compassionately guide you through the obstetric claims process, explaining all the options available to ease your stress and fight tirelessly for the best outcome.
Our vastly-experienced medical negligence solicitors carefully manage obstetric negligence cases from the initial enquiry to conclusion – including complex Cerebral Palsy claims.
- A free no-obligation case discussion with our Solicitors
- Sympathetically understand injury & impact on your life
- Assess physical injury & any rehabilitation requirements
- Analyse emotional, psychological & financial impact
- Asses case details and work out if you have a strong claim
- Explain ways to fund case – including No Win, No Fee option
- Gather evidence & ensure case is as strong as possible
- Review medical records, witness statements & medical experts
- Give you the best chance to secure maximum compensation
- Negotiate and try to agree a settlement outside of court
Based in Sunderland – trusted across the North East & UK
If you’d like to utilise the experience and expertise of our clinical negligence solicitors, we promise to fight for the support and rehabilitation you deserve.
From our headquarters in Sunderland, we can quickly travel to anywhere in the North East. We also have a presence in Carlisle and represent people from across England and Wales, many of whom have been referred by previously successful clients.
Even if you’re not sure whether a claim is possible, get in touch for a no-obligation and confidential discussion either in person or via video call.
Arrange a free consultation with our specialist solicitors – call 0191 5666500 today!