Maternity Negligence Case Settlement for £40,000
AWH Solicitor’s expert medical negligence solicitor, Sophia Azam has recently settled a case for £40,000 concerning our client’s maternity negligence claim.
Our Client’s Background:
When our client was pregnant with her fourth baby, she sought antenatal care for the management of her pregnancy. At her booking appointment, it was noted that her last menstrual period was on 20th October 2019, with an estimated delivery date of 26th July 2020. Our client had a history of anti-C antibodies and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which was being managed through diet. However, she only began monitoring her blood glucose levels on 28th April 2020 when she was 27 weeks pregnant.
Timeline of Events:
19th January 2020
Our client attended a 14-week antenatal appointment, where she received information on pregnancy care and scheduled a follow-up appointment for 16 weeks.
19th February 2020
At around 17-18 weeks pregnant, she saw a Consultant Obstetrician who created a detailed care plan. The plan included cervical length monitoring at 18, 20, 22, and 24 weeks, as well as serial scans at 28, 32, and 36 weeks. Blood group checking for anti-C antibodies was planned for every visit, and two-weekly visits until delivery.
11th March 2020
Our client was seen in a midwifery-led clinic at 20 weeks, where she should have been seen by an obstetrician according to the care plan.
24th August 2020
Our client’s medical records show no evidence of any other antenatal appointments, except for glucose measurements. Blood glucose readings were performed from 28th April to 2nd May 2020, starting from 27 weeks’ gestation.
2nd-3rd May 2020
Our client attended the maternity unit of Whipps Cross Hospital at 27+5 weeks due to vaginal spotting. A vaginal examination revealed a very short cervix of less than 2mm. As a result, the medical team admitted her and informed the neonatal team.
Birth and Complications
At 5:22 AM, our client was fully dilated with a footling breech. She was allowed to push, but at 5:32 AM, there was a rupture of membranes, and the baby’s head remained in situ at 5:45 AM. At 5:56 AM, the posterior cervix was cut, and the baby boy was delivered, requiring immediate resuscitation. The baby was ventilated at 6:06 AM. The birthweight was recorded as 1180gm, above the 99th centile. As a result, our client underwent surgical repair surgery and was treated for endometritis sepsis.
Baby’s Death
The baby required immediate resuscitation but later died. The causes of death listed on the death certificate were multi-organ failure, intraventricular hemorrhage, prematurity, and head entrapment. Additionally, the post-mortem report confirmed an infant, large for gestational age, with evidence of fetal stress hypoxia and beta cell hyperplasia.
Investigation and Maternity Negligence
An internal investigation conducted by the Trust admitted to numerous failures that contributed to the baby’s death. Firstly, the midwives overseeing the appointments consistently overlooked the care plan outlined by the obstetrician. Additionally, the management of our client’s gestational diabetes was neglected, and there were missed opportunities to place a cervical stitch, which could have prevented pre-term delivery.
The Impact of Maternity Negligence on Our Client
As a result of maternity negligence, our client experienced a significant psychological response to the loss of her baby. She suffered from low mood, constant rumination about the delivery, and general anxiety.
Settlement
AWH Solicitors, represented by Sophia Azam, pursued legal action against the Trust responsible for antenatal care and delivery. After a thorough evaluation of the case and negotiations, the case was settled for £40,000. This settlement aimed to compensate our client for her physical and emotional distress, as well as the loss of her child.
Our client states: “We are more than happy to leave a great review based on the fact that you’ve done amazing work through the process of getting our claim resolved… a big thank you for all your help and support.”
Conclusion
The case of medical negligence against the Trust highlights the failures in antenatal care. In particular, the case highlights the hospital’s failure to adhere to the obstetrician’s care plan and manage our client’s gestational diabetes appropriately. Sophia Azam, successfully secured a settlement of £40,000, recognising the negligence that contributed to the loss of the baby and the psychological impact on our client.
Our client has recently delivered a healthy baby girl.
Seeking Legal Guidance and Support for Maternity Negligence
If you or a loved one have experienced maternity negligence resulting in harm to you or your baby, it is crucial to seek legal guidance and support. AWH Solicitors’ dedicated medical negligence team is here to help you navigate through this difficult time. Our team understands the complexities of maternity negligence cases and is committed to fighting for your rights and seeking the compensation you deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact AWH Solicitors to discuss your case and receive the compassionate and expert legal representation you need. Your voice deserves to be heard, and we are here to advocate for you.
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Sophia Azam Associate Solicitor view profile
