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Obstetric Negligence Claims & Stillbirth & Birth-Related Injury Compensation Claims 

 

The clinical negligence specialists here at Lanyon Bowdler are highly experienced at dealing with obstetrics or birth injury negligence claims relating to injuries suffered by you or your child during pregnancy or childbirth.

The specialist lawyers will be able to guide through every stage of the process - from deciding whether you have grounds for a claim, to negotiating the appropriate sum of compensation for your injuries.

Vaginal Tears and Episiotomy

Tearing of the vagina is a common birth injury suffered during labour. Tears are treatable but there can be complications, and the injury is often due to medical negligence. There are four degrees of severity:

  • First degree tears, when the fourchette and vaginal mucosa are damaged and the underlying muscles are exposed, but not torn.
  • Second degree tears affect the posterior vaginal walls and perennial muscles, but the anal sphincter remains intact.
  • Third degree tears extend to the anal sphincter, but leave the rectal mucosa intact.
  • Fourth degree tears impact on the anal canal, and the tear may also spread to the rectum.

An episiotomy is a quite common procedure which involves a small surgical incision being made to enlarge the vagina which helps childbirth. It is good medical practice to perform an episiotomy to help avoid tearing and other maternal injuries.

Episiotomies are necessary in the following types of situations:

  • Premature delivery
  • There is delay in delivery due to a rigid perineum, and an episiotomy will expedite delivery and help prevent a tear
  • Instrumental delivery
  • A tear seems imminent

If a vaginal tear results from the clinical negligence of your doctor or nurse, long-term complications can arise, such as perineal trauma, difficulty healing and incontinence.

Please contact the specialist injury claims lawyers here at Lanyon Bowdler to find out how we can help with a potential birth injury compensation claim.

Still Birth

It is a tragic fact that stillbirths can, and do, occur. Sometimes negligent medical treatment, such as the poor management of labour and delivery, is a contributing factor.

There are a number of risk factors which may result in a stillbirth:

  • Age of mother
  • Chronic diseases, e.g. diabetes, renal failure, hypertension
  • Low birth weight
  • Maternal health
  • Infection
  • Multiplicity of pregnancy
  • Substance abuse
  • Maternal country of birth
  • Pregnancies with a raised maternal serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) level
  • Gestation/prematurity
  • Forceps and breech deliveries
  • Asphyxia, anoxia or trauma
  • Pre-eclampsia
  • Cord prolapse/antepartum haemorrhage
  • Premature rupture of membranes

It is essential that the mother is properly monitored antenatally and during labour if there is any risk of still birth. Healthcare professionals must apply the appropriate treatment if problems are detected.

Obstetrics compensation claims are possible if the appropriate treatment and care was not provided.

Birth Defects

Congenital abnormalities, otherwise known as birth defects, can only be detected with appropriate screening. If the appropriate tests did not take place to enable the defects to be detected, obstetrics compensation claims often arise.

One of the main purposes of the 18 to 20 week scan in pregnancy is to test whether any birth defects exist. If any problems are detected the mother will be offered, in an appropriate case with counselling, a termination. If abnormalities are not spotted and a disabled child is born, a compensation claim may exist.

Funding Your Claim

Please download our short guide about funding your claim.

Contact Lanyon Bowdler Birth Injury Solicitors

If you feel that you have been the victim of medical negligence, whether through suffering a stillbirth, maternal injury, or undetected birth defects, the specialists here at Lanyon Bowdler can help you claim the financial compensation you deserve.

If you think a family member has been treated negligently by a hospital or a medical professional during pregnancy or labour -  which has left your loved one distressed, in pain or with additional health problems, or even worse, then it is likely you are entitled to make a medical negligence claim. Give us a call or complete our online enquiry form, to see how our team can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. 

Please call for a friendly, confidential and compassionate approach to your situation.  There is no obligation you or any charges for our initial assessment. 

By choosing Lanyon Bowdler for any form of Serious Injury Claim or Medical Negligence Claim, you can rest assured that you have the best legal expertise on your team. Lanyon Bowdler's Medical Negligence team is widely acclaimed and recognised as one of the best clinical negligence departments in the country. We are committed to providing exceptional levels of client care and will work closely and considerately with you to help find the best outcomes and help to get your life back on track.

We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, and Telford, so are able to act for clients all over Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and across the Midlands (including Wolverhampton & Birmingham). As a leading UK full-service law firm, we can represent you wherever you live in the UK.

Testimonials

Professional and Organised. My experience of Lanyon Bowdler has been extremely favourable. The solicitors and their secretaries are professional, discreet, friendly and explain everything. They handled my claim with the upmost professionalism and respect and worked hard to gain the best result possible.  

- Lorna, via Review Solicitors

I was very happy that I used Lanyon Bowdler.

- Mr Richard A Cave, Wrexham

Attention to detail at all times, all business carried out directly with one solicitor.

- Mr Ian H Jones, Flint

A complete honest and friendly service from start to finish. Thank you very much. 

- Mr William Peace & Richard Peace, Ludlow

Professional and caring towards clients.

- Mr Nicky John Mullis & Mrs Alison Jane Miles, Shrewsbury

Professional, clear on expectations, prompt on responding to my questions and queries. All paperwork sent promptly and clearly marked when you required my response. 

- Miss Nicola Georgina Foster

Every step of the way you have cared, you have listened, you have supported and you have fought for us. And you have done all this in the most professional and dignified manner. 

- Mr & Mrs XB

'You really cared and wanted the best possible outcome for our son'

- Mr & Mrs Abernethy, Cheshire

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