Maternity Negligence Claims

No one expects their pregnancy or childbirth experience to end in trauma. When things go wrong because of medical negligence, the effects can be life changing. At Macks Solicitors, we help parents understand their rights and take legal action to seek justice.

Free Initial Discussion

For no-obligation advice and information, call our specialist medical negligence solicitors today on 01642 843 669 or use our contact form and we will call you back.

What Is Maternity Negligence?

Maternity negligence refers to medical errors made during pregnancy, labour, or postnatal care that result in harm to the mother, baby, or both. These mistakes may occur because of poor decision-making, inadequate monitoring, miscommunication, or failure to act quickly in an emergency.

Examples of Maternity Negligence

Maternity Negligence can take many forms, you maybe be able to make a claim if you or your baby were harmed as a result of:

• Failure to monitor your baby’s heart rate during labour, missing signs of distress.
• Missed signs of pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes.
• Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of conditions that needed urgent treatment.
• Improper use of forceps or vacuum delivery.
• Unnecessary or delayed C-section when signs called for emergency intervention.
• Poor handling of labour leading to oxygen deprivation or birth injury.
• Negligent postnatal care, such as missed signs of infection, haemorrhage, or retained placenta.

Even if you’re not sure whether mistakes were made, it’s always worth speaking to a specialist solicitor. We can help you understand what went wrong and whether you may be entitled to compensation. Call our specialist medical negligence solicitors today on 01642 843 669 or use our contact form and we will call you back.

What Injuries Can Result from Maternity Negligence?

Maternity negligence can result in a wide range of injuries and complications, including:

For the Baby:

• Birth asphyxia
• Cerebral palsy
• Brain damage
• Erb’s palsy (nerve damage)
• Stillbirth or neonatal death

For the mother:

• Severe perineal tears
• Postpartum haemorrhage
• Infections due to retained placenta
• Psychological trauma

Is There a Time Limit to Make a Maternity Negligence Claim?

In most medical negligence cases, the standard time limit is three years from the date of the injury or when the injury was first known. For children, the three-year limit does not begin until they turn 18, meaning you can bring a claim any time before their 21st birthday. However, it is advised to bring a claim sooner rather than later as the quality of evidence may fade over time.

If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the time limit may not apply.

How Macks Can Help

We will thoroughly explore your case and determine the best course of action that is tailored to your specific needs.

We will discuss the funding arrangement that best suits your case and provide you with efficient, practical advice.

Contact us

For more information about making a claim, you can call us on 01642 843 667; alternatively, complete our online contact form and one of our solicitors will be in touch.