Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress Claims

During pregnancy and labour, careful monitoring of a baby’s wellbeing is essential. When signs of fetal distress are overlooked or responses are delayed, the outcome can be life changing. Families are often left with unanswered questions about whether more could have been done.

At Macks Solicitors, we help families investigate concerns around fetal monitoring and provide compassionate legal support during an incredibly difficult time.

Free Initial Discussion

For no-obligation advice and information, call our specialist medical negligence solicitors today on 01642 843 671 or use our contact form and we will call you back.

What Is Fetal Distress?

Fetal distress occurs when a baby shows signs of not coping as well as expected before or during labour, often due to reduced oxygen supply. This is usually monitored through the baby’s heart rate, movements, and other clinical checks.

If warning signs are missed or not acted upon promptly, it can sometimes lead to complications for the baby. In the most serious cases, this may result in lasting injury or, rarely, stillbirth or neonatal death. Understanding what happened and whether the care provided met expected standards can help families gain clarity, reassurance, and peace of mind.

When Can a Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress Claims Be Made?

You may be able to make a claim if substandard medical care contributed to harm. This may include:

• Failure to properly monitor the baby’s heart rate
• Poor interpretation of CTG traces
• Failure to act on abnormal monitoring results
• Delays in escalation to senior staff
• Failure to arrange timely intervention or delivery
• Inadequate monitoring during labour or after admission

Our specialist solicitors will review medical records and obtain independent expert evidence to assess whether the care provided fell below what should reasonably have been expected. Call us today on 01642 843 671 or use our contact form and we will call you back.

What Injuries Can Result from Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress?

The impact of unrecognised or unmanaged fetal distress can vary, depending on how long the baby was deprived of oxygen. Injuries may include:

• Hypoxic or hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental delay or learning difficulties
• Physical disability
• Stillbirth or neonatal death

We understand the long-term effects these outcomes can have on both the child and their family.

What Can Compensation Cover?

While compensation cannot change what has happened, it can help provide financial security and access to ongoing support. Compensation may cover:

• Pain and suffering
• Ongoing care, therapy, and rehabilitation
• Specialist equipment and home adaptations
• Loss of earnings or future earning capacity
• Psychological or emotional injury to parents
• Funeral and related expenses in fatal cases

The type and level of compensation will depend on the individual circumstances of the case.

Time Limits for Making a Claim

In most medical negligence cases, the standard time limit is three years from the date of the injury or from when it was first discovered.

• For children, the three-year limit does not begin until their 18th birthday, allowing claims to be brought before they turn 21.
• If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the time limit may not apply.

Early legal advice is strongly recommended to ensure evidence is preserved and your options are fully explained.

Contact us

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