9th September 2020 – Our client Mrs B from Staffordshire gave birth to her second child in December 2014.
There had been some concerns about reduced foetal movement but in the event she had a straight forward labour at 39 weeks gestation. Shortly after giving birth, the placenta was noted to be “apparently complete”.
Our client then received several post-natal home visits and attended the post-natal clinic.
On 6 th January 2015 our client began suffering stomach pains and heavy blood loss. She was taken to hospital for some tests but later discharged home with a diagnosis of secondary post-partum haemorrhage.
Her bleeding continued and on 9 th January she was rushed to hospital by ambulance after she had woken up covered in blood.
She underwent emergency surgery and a significant volume of retained products of conception were removed. She took several days to recover from her surgery.
Mrs B instructed Fairweathers to investigate bringing a claim against University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust. She believed that the treatment provided by the Trust was substandard. We obtained obstetric expert evidence which strongly criticised the Trust’s failure to identify retained placenta at an earlier stage. Moreover, our Medico-Legal Consultant Psychiatrist also diagnosed psychiatric injury.
As is often the case, the Defendant denied liability. This resulted in Court proceedings being issued with a timetable to Trial. Eventually the Solicitors instructed by the Defendant changed tactics and sensibly made an offer and after a short period of negotiation, they agreed settlement in the sum of £17,500.00.
Steve Evans, Solicitor with conduct of this case commented as follows: “This was a terrible ordeal for our client and all the family have lived with the consequences for a long time. I commend Mrs B for having the courage to tell her story time and again until the Defendant eventually decided to settle this case”.
Mrs B commented: “I cannot thank you enough for all you have done since you took over my case. At the start of all this I really did think this would all be a very stressful experience given the reason that I was pursuing but yourself, Kate and Steevi and all involved at Fairweathers have worked very hard in making it very straightforward from my side. You really do deserve some praise for all your hard work”.
If you or a member of your family believes you have a claim then please do not hesitate to phone us free on 0800 999 5585, request a call back or submit your case details.