£54,500 settlement after neonatal death from NHS clinical negligence

Failures in Care During Labour

Following the tragic loss of her child due to clinical negligence, the Claimant contacted Forbes Solicitors to pursue a compensation claim. The Claimant had been under obstetric care and at 40+2 weeks contacted her community midwife, unsure if her waters had broken or not. At 40+6 weeks, the hospital informed the Claimant that her planned induction at 41+0 weeks would be delayed by one day. The following day, the Claimant attended the hospital in suspected labour at 03:30 but was later sent home. Later that day, at 14:49, she contacted the labour ward again, reporting ‘blood spotting’ and estimating her arrival time at the labour ward to be 15:25. Despite this, she was not met by staff when she arrived at 15:37.

Fetal Distress Not Acted Upon

Upon arrival, a cardiotocograph (CTG) was used to monitor the baby’s heart rate, which was found to be dangerously low at 60-70 beats per minute, indicating Fetal Bradycardia (a type of irregular heartbeat known as Fetal Arrhythmia) and oxygen deprivation. An emergency caesarean section was urgently scheduled, but by the time the baby was born, it showed no signs of life. A neonatologist made immediate resuscitation efforts, but sadly, the baby could not be revived; resuscitation was stopped at 16:29, just 37 minutes after birth. According to the results of the placental histopathology, the loss was attributed to a placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta partially or completely separates from the uterine wall before birth.

Admission of Negligence by Hospital Trust

The hospital admitted that the Claimant should have been admitted for observation after her two earlier phone calls to the labour ward and her 03:30 attendance. Had she been admitted to the ward at that time, a cardiotocography (CTG) would have been performed and readings would likely have shown that appropriate monitoring was needed. This could have prevented the tragic outcome and the baby would likely have survived.

£54,500 Settlement for Neonatal Death

The case was settled by Leonie Millard, a Partner in Forbes Solicitors' Clinical Negligence team and an expert in stillbirth and neonatal death claims, for £54,500. Leonie’s extensive knowledge of the complexities of clinical negligence, particularly in cases involving stillbirths and neonatal deaths, was pivotal in holding the hospital trust accountable for their failure to provide adequate care. The settlement was a significant step towards achieving justice for the Claimant and providing them with the financial support needed during such a devastating loss.

Legal Support for Neonatal Death Claims

If you've suffered from a neonatal death or experienced serious issues during your pregnancy or labour that you believe have affected the welfare of your child, our team of solicitors is here to advise you.

At Forbes Solicitors, we understand the devastating impact that negligence can have on you and your family, which is why we’re committed to supporting you through this difficult time.

Our solicitors act with professionalism and compassion, working pragmatically to ensure you receive the medical negligence neonatal death compensation you deserve. We provide clear legal guidance, alongside the empathy and emotional support you need during what is an unimaginable and life-altering experience.

As someone who has experienced the trauma of a neonatal death, we know you’ll have many questions and need trusted answers. That’s why our expert team is here to support you every step of the way. We stand with each family seeking answers. If you need support or want to understand your options, call us in confidence on 0800 037 4625.