
Ms C, a 43 year old lady from West Sussex, was pregnant with twins and induced at Worthing Hospital in May 2010.
Her labour failed to progress so it was decided that she would need a Caesarean section.
Before and during the C-section procedure, Ms C was given insufficient pain relief, which meant that she could feel everything.
Subsequently, she suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which included having difficulties initially bonding with her babies.
A psychiatrist expert was instructed and an early letter of claim submitted to Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust. The Trust did not formally admit any allegations but negotiations took place and the case was settled for £25,000.
Shantala Heath, Specialist Medical Negligence Solicitor, commented:
“This has been a traumatising experience for Ms C as she not only suffered a great deal physically during the procedure but subsequently this has had a huge emotional impact on her, which inevitably has affected her family, and in particular her relationship with her daughters.
The birth and postnatal period between a mother and her child/children should be a special event, not one that the mother is unable to talk about and associates with so much hurt and pain.”
Ms C commented:
“I was really worried on the whole, however from day one I shouldn’t have been. You treated me like a human being, you understood me and my fears. You showed me such compassion and gave me light at the end of a very long dark tunnel. I found the claim was handled so well and throughout your concern was for me. You kept me informed on how it was progressing but you were never aggressive in your approach to me. You have been a guardian angel in every sense and I would like to thank you for your help, professionalism and understanding. I would not hesitate to recommend you and your firm. True professionals.”