Obstetrics Negligence
Caring, supportive and expert obstetrics claim services to clients in London and beyond
Pregnancy Negligence Experts
Pregnancy and giving birth is an incredibly exciting and daunting time for any expectant mother. Sometimes, mistakes do happen, and it is our role here at Freeman Harris to make a claim if you believe that there has been negligent care. We understand that this can be an incredibly traumatic and devastating time for any woman and their family, our team of expert solicitors are both knowledgeable and caring, and will be with you every step of the way to ensure that your medical negligence claim happens as smoothly as possible.
What is obstetrics?
Obstetrics is the area of medical care concerned with pregnant women, the unborn child and the management of diseases exclusive to women.
Pregnancy claims can relate to:
- Stillbirths
- Cerebral Palsy
- Misinformation on any procedure undergone during or as a result of childbirth
- Complications owing to negligent caesarean procedures
- Failure to recognise haemorrhages
- Mismanagement during pregnancy and labour
- Failing to obtain consent before any procedure before, during or after pregnancy or childbirth
We understand the emotional and distressing time that parents have to endure in the wake of losing a child, and our team of expert solicitors will be with you throughout the process; offering their practical assistance through an incredibly emotional time.
What is a perinatal claim?
Perinatal claims can arise from the negligent care of obstetricians, neonatologists and midwives. We understand that no amount of money or compensation can reverse the loss of a child, however sometimes the results of legal decisions can affect the way that things are done to ensure that the same mistake doesn’t happen again; this can be reassuring for some parents.
How can we help?
Our team at Freeman Harris will work with you to understand what has happened to cause the unexpected death of a child, whether that be for example, through unexpected stunted growth in the womb, a problem with the placenta or an undiagnosed or missed infection.
What are the costs?
All of our initial consultations are free of charge and we offer a no win-no fee funding arrangement to all of our medical negligence clients.
Medical Negligence Team
Lina Aleksandroff
LawyerLina’s background in nursing and law furnishes her with both medical and legal knowledge, allowing her to work on negligence cases with great care and expertise.John Holtom
Senior SolicitorJohn is an expert in dealing with medical negligence claims and has a history of settling high value cases.Talha Falzani
LitigatorTalha has been working as a Litigator assisting the medical negligence department. He would be the first person you deal with regarding your matter.
Medical Negligence Fees
Obstetrics Claims FAQ's
- As a mother, how do I know that the childbirth I experienced qualifies as medical negligence?
If a mistake was made, a problem was missed or treated incorrectly, then you may have a claim. Pregnancy and giving birth are understandably a daunting time, and unfortunately there are times when mistakes are made during the course of the 9 months. As an expectant mother, you of course place yourself and your worries and concerns in the care of the medical professionals, and so if a mistake is made or something is missed, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
- What are common causes of birth injuries?
- Perineal tears
Incorrectly performed episiotomies - Incorrectly performed anaesthesia
- Damage to organs from caesarean or failing to recognise damage at the time
- Retained swabs
- Fissures
- Perineal tears
- How much does it cost to make a birth injury claim?
Most of the time, these operate on a no win-no fee basis, i.e through using a CFA (conditional fee agreement) meaning that funding is put in place and that if the case is not won by you, there are no fees to pay, so you do not lose out financially by pursuing a claim.
- How much can I claim for childbirth injury negligence?
This all depends on the severity of the injury and the severity of the impact the injury has had on your life; every case is different. You will be able to claim for any lost earnings, rehabilitation and anything else you have had to implement into your life in order to live whilst compensating for the impact of the injury. The compensation also takes into consideration your future, and how you can ensure that you will have the best quality of life possible.
- How much time do I have to claim?
You have three years from the date the injury happened, or from the date you were aware that something had happened. If a child has been injured by negligence, they have until their 21st birthday to make a claim. However, if someone does not have mental capacity to make claim, there is no time limit.
- Who will the defendant be?
This will depend on your case. If a GP has made an error, the claim will either be handled by the GP’s professional indemnity provider or NHS resolution. If the error was made in a hospital, all NHS hospitals are represented by an NHS Trust so it is the trust who will be the defendant to any claim where the breach of duty of care occurred in one of its hospitals rather than any individual. NHS Resolution is the insurance cover which handles these claims.
Contact our Medical Negligence Team
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