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Our specialist obstetric negligence solicitors have helped many mothers claim compensation after they have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence during or after giving birth.

How our clinical negligence lawyers help mothers who have been injured in childbirth?

Our obstetric and maternal injury specialists have over 30 years of top-level clinical negligence litigation experience and are nationally recognised and accredited as leading experts in these complex claims. Our impressive track record speaks for itself. Our commitment to our clients’ highest interests has earned us the respect of top barristers, doctors, therapists and case managers, and other lawyers, including our opponents.

We guarantee our clients the highest standards of advice and representation, drawing on the understanding that we have gained from decades of successful claims, to ensure that each client recovers the highest compensation for their injuries. 

Our past clients tell us, however, that what they valued most was our lawyers’ friendly, empathetic support. We take great care to understand each client’s injury and the needs that arise from its physical, emotional, psychological and financial impact on their life.

Whilst we work hard to secure the judgments, interim payments and settlements which can help ease the hardship associated with serious injury, our clients can rest assured knowing that their claim is in safe hands.

Previous Cases

£375,000 settlement for a woman who was left severely incapacitated by bowel incontinence, recurrent infections, sexual dysfunction and a psychological injury after years of negligent failure to treat a fourth-degree vaginal tear.

£200,000 settlement for a woman who suffered disabling faecal incontinence, restricting her ability to work or leave the house, as a result of an obstetric registrar’s negligent failure to repair a third-degree vaginal tear after the birth of her child. Our client also suffered a psychological injury.

£200,000 compensation for a client who was left with faecal urgency, incontinence and a psychological injury after a midwife failed to recognise that she had suffered a third degree vaginal/perineal tear and carried out an inadequate repair.

£120,000 settlement for a mother after a severe vaginal tear during a forceps birth caused significant worsening of a previously occasional faecal incontinence condition. The hospital denied responsibility for our client's injury and challenged her entitlement to make a claim eight years after the birth. Settlement was achieved at a mediation.

£107,500 settlement for a client who suffered faecal incontinence, sexual dysfunction, pain, seven remedial operations and a psychological injury after a doctor’s negligent attempt to repair a severe vaginal/perineal tear after the delivery of her child.

Settlement and an apology for the mother of a baby who was stillborn following mistakes in her maternity care. Our client’s settlement included compensation for her psychological injury.

£85,000 settlement for a client who developed severe infection and needed additional surgery for a bowel injury after a swab was left inside her after her caesarean section operation. She also suffered a psychological injury.

£30,000 settlement for a mother who suffered a psychological injury, including PTSD, as a result of the negligent management of her baby’s traumatic delivery.

Compensation settlement for a mother who suffered uterine rupture and psychological injuries/PTSD during a VBAC delivery resulting in the stillbirth of her baby. 

What is obstetric negligence?

The medical field of obstetrics relates to the care that is given to women in pregnancy, during childbirth and immediately after birth (post-partum care). Doctors who specialise in obstetrics are known as obstetricians.

Compensation claims arising from medical negligence at birth often focus on the catastrophic injury suffered by the baby but maternity mistakes can often leave the mother with serious injuries too. Maternal injury can be life-threatening. A mother’s injury can also be devastating to the family as a whole, especially where it leaves her permanently injured, unable to return to work or care for herself, physically or psychologically unable to care for her children or unable to have more children in future.

Where a woman has suffered severe injury caused by obstetric errors, anaesthetic mistakes or midwife negligence in childbirth, whether or not her child has been injured, she may be entitled to claim compensation.

Negligent mistakes in childbirth which often lead to obstetric or midwifery negligence compensation claims include:

  • negligent management of high-risk pregnancy, including:
    • pre-eclampsia;
    • VBAC (vaginal birth after previous caesarean);
    • maternal diabetes;
    • maternal epilepsy;
    • Rhesus incompatibility (mother and baby have incompatible blood groups);
    • group B streptococcal infection;
    • twins/multiple pregnancy;
  • negligent management of obstetric emergencies or complications, including:
    • placental abruption;
    • haemorrhage;
    • uterine rupture;
    • fetal impacted head;
    • shoulder dystocia (size of baby disproportionate to mother’s pelvis);
    • vaginal breech delivery;
    • cardiac/vascular complications.
  • delays in delivery;
  • negligent use of instruments, such as forceps;
  • hyperstimulation from syntocinon;
  • failure to manage, recognise and adequately repair perineal injury;
  • negligent anaesthetic management, including:
    • awareness;
    • anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction);
  • negligent postnatal care, including anticoagulant management.
Read more

What types of maternal injury lead to obstetric negligence compensation claims?

Mistakes in maternity care can occur at any time during the mother’s care in pregnancy (antenatally), during labour and birth, and immediately after birth (postpartum).

Injury may be caused by the negligence of one individual, such as a midwife or obstetrician, or as a result of lack of communication and teamwork between healthcare professionals of different specialisms across a number of different healthcare settings (such as GP surgery, antenatal clinic, labour ward).

Whether the injury is caused by an individual, a team or as a result of failed communication, the mother is entitled to compensation for the injury that she has suffered as a result of negligence in her maternity care. Where medical negligence results in maternal death, the bereaved, dependent family may be entitled to compensation.

Maternal injuries which often lead to obstetric compensation claims include:

  • uterine rupture;
  • 3rd and 4th degree vaginal tears and cloacal injury;
  • anaesthetic awareness and injury
  • complications of eclampsia
  • organ failure and seizures(fits);
  • severe post-partum haemorrhage;
  • maternal cardiac/thrombosis and coagulation problems;
  • infection and sepsis;
  • psychiatric/psychological injury;
  • problems with childbearing in future;
  • maternal death.
Read more

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Meet your specialist team

Our specialist Obstetric negligence claims team are considered leaders in the field and have a significant amount of expertise.
Susan Brown photo

Susan Brown

Partner

Julie Marsh headshot

Julie Marsh

Partner

Richard Money-Kyrle headshot

Richard Money-Kyrle

Partner

Sita Soni headshot

Sita Soni

Senior Associate - solicitor

Vanessa Wand photo

Vanessa Wand

Senior associate - solicitor

Tara Byrne photo

Tara Byrne

Associate - Solicitor

Rachel Makore headshot

Rachel Makore

Associate - solicitor

Alpa Rana headshot

Alpa Rana

Associate - solicitor

Fran Rothwell

Fran Rothwell

Associate solicitor

Ben Ireland headshot

Ben Ireland

Solicitor

Alice Carley headshot

Alice Carley

Paralegal

Audrey Elmore headshot

Audrey Elmore

Medical records coordinator

Nicky Melville headshot

Nicky Melville

Professional support assistant

Susan Brown photo
Julie Marsh headshot
Richard Money-Kyrle headshot
Sita Soni headshot
Vanessa Wand photo
Tara Byrne photo
Rachel Makore headshot
Alpa Rana headshot
Fran Rothwell
Ben Ireland headshot
Alice Carley headshot
Audrey Elmore headshot
Nicky Melville headshot

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Obstetric negligence cases

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Awards & Accreditations

Our teams have been nationally recognised over the past decade for their dedication and commitment to securing maximum compensation for our clients

              Brake | The Road Safety Charity

"Honest, approachable and truly empathetic"

What has to be some of the most testing horrible times was dealt with in a dignified, honest, approachable and truly empathetic manner. I could not begin to do Susan justice for her handling of our case.

Boyes Turner Client

"they kept us fully informed "

I approached Boyes Turner after my claim was turned down by one of the Medical Negligence Claim company. My wife was a victim of medical negligence.

Boyes Turner have acted so efficiently on our behalf and was able to win our case. Anytime we contact them, their customer service was very good as they kept us fully informed of every level our case has developed. They are very friendly and approachable and great in their professional advise. I would strongly recommend anyone approach them for their legal and medical negligence services.

Boyes Turner Client

"Thoroughly professional, knowledgable and approachable"

Thoroughly professional, knowledgable and approachable with communication and updates as and when needed, in what can be a drawn out process, I was always comfortable asking questions and always received answers which were clear and understandable. Highly recommend

Boyes Turner Client

"Amazing professional firm"

I came to Boyes Turner desperate after searching the web for a firm to use for my sons case. He was only a few months so my mind was all over the place, but from the very first point of contact I felt a sense of relieve and belonging. I was welcomed and looked after by amazing staff who always communicated everything so well and went the extra mile to explain things and ensure I understood what was happening every step of the way (THANK YOU SUSAN BROWN). Susan was amazing I felt like I not only had a solicitor but someone who understood my emotions as a mother and always handled me with so much compassion and that was all I needed to keep me going for the 6 years of the case. Years went by in a breeze because of how professional Boyes Turner was. I am so greatful I went through it all with them and mananged to get my son a good compensation. We look forward our new life where my sons needs are priority after struggling for so long. Thank you Boyes Turner and thank you Susan Brown. My family and I are ever indebted.

Boyes Turner Client

"I couldn’t fault them they have been brilliant throughout the whole process"

From the moment I picked up the phone and spoke to Richard Money-Kyrle I knew I had done the right thing by choosing Boyes Turner to take our claim forward and to represent my son. Both Richard Money-Kyrle and Alpa Rana have worked on our case and they both have been amazing throughout, explaining every step of the way and anything we didn’t understand and keeping me updated constantly. This gave me and my family a lot of reassurance.

Both Richard and Alpa are friendly and gained my trust and have been really easy to talk to which has made the process a whole lot easier and smoother than anticipated.
The outcome of the claim was far more than I could have wished for and that was down to their hard work and expertise

I couldn’t fault them they have been brilliant throughout the whole process I would recommend Boyes Turner to anyone.

Boyes Turner Client
Rated Excellent 4.8/5