Obstetric Negligence.

Obstetric Negligence Claims & Stillbirth & Birth-Related Injury Compensation Claims.

The clinical negligence specialists here at Lanyon Bowdler are highly experienced at dealing with obstetrics or birth injury negligence claims relating to injuries suffered by you or your child during pregnancy or childbirth.

The specialist lawyers will be able to guide through every stage of the process – from deciding whether you have grounds for a claim, to negotiating the appropriate sum of compensation for your injuries.

Types of Obstetric Negligence

Vaginal tears and episiotomy

Tearing of the vagina is a common birth injury suffered during labour. Tears are treatable but there can be complications, and the injury is often due to medical negligence. There are four degrees of severity:

  • First degree tears, when the fourchette and vaginal mucosa are damaged and the underlying muscles are exposed, but not torn.
  • Second degree tears affect the posterior vaginal walls and perennial muscles, but the anal sphincter remains intact.
  • Third degree tears extend to the anal sphincter, but leave the rectal mucosa intact.
  • Fourth degree tears impact on the anal canal, and the tear may also spread to the rectum.

An episiotomy is a quite common procedure which involves a small surgical incision being made to enlarge the vagina which helps childbirth. It is good medical practice to perform an episiotomy to help avoid tearing and other maternal injuries.

Episiotomies are necessary in the following types of situations:

  • Premature delivery
  • There is delay in delivery due to a rigid perineum, and an episiotomy will expedite delivery and help prevent a tear
  • Instrumental delivery
  • A tear seems imminent

If a vaginal tear results from the clinical negligence of your doctor or nurse, long-term complications can arise, such as perineal trauma, difficulty healing and incontinence.

Please contact the specialist injury claims lawyers here at Lanyon Bowdler to find out how we can help with a potential birth injury compensation claim.

Still birth

It is a tragic fact that stillbirths can, and do, occur. Sometimes negligent medical treatment, such as the poor management of labour and delivery, is a contributing factor.

There are a number of risk factors which may result in a stillbirth:

  • Age of mother
  • Chronic diseases, e.g. diabetes, renal failure, hypertension
  • Low birth weight
  • Maternal health
  • Infection
  • Multiplicity of pregnancy
  • Substance abuse
  • Maternal country of birth
  • Pregnancies with a raised maternal serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) level
  • Gestation/prematurity
  • Forceps and breech deliveries
  • Asphyxia, anoxia or trauma
  • Pre-eclampsia
  • Cord prolapse/antepartum haemorrhage
  • Premature rupture of membranes

It is essential that the mother is properly monitored antenatally and during labour if there is any risk of still birth. Healthcare professionals must apply the appropriate treatment if problems are detected.

Obstetrics compensation claims are possible if the appropriate treatment and care was not provided.

Birth defects

Congenital abnormalities, otherwise known as birth defects, can only be detected with appropriate screening. If the appropriate tests did not take place to enable the defects to be detected, obstetrics compensation claims often arise.

One of the main purposes of the 18 to 20 week scan in pregnancy is to test whether any birth defects exist. If any problems are detected the mother will be offered, in an appropriate case with counselling, a termination. If abnormalities are not spotted and a disabled child is born, a compensation claim may exist.

Testimonials

What our clients say.

From the first contact, the team at Lanyon Bowdler gave a fast & efficient service. They were very friendly & gave me the confidence that I had found the right solicitors. The advice given & the fast responses were beyond my expectations. The matter was resolved in no time at all.

Martyn
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I will always take your advice, thank you for keeping me updated your service has been exemplary.

Bev

I contacted Lanyon Bowdler for advice on a Welsh Redress offer I received after a recent never event incident that happened during my ectopic pregnancy procedure. The advice and service I received from the very first phone call was fantastic. The advice and information from Emma Hart was clear and her approach was professional while being in a friendly manor. I was kept fully aware of what was happening and I am so thankful to her for sorting everything so quick and easy on my behalf. Her service was truly amazing.

Elin
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Was satisfied with the work they’ve done for my family, my experience with them all was very good and welcoming thank you all involved.

Michele
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Communication was second to none. Thank you.

Mr G
Telford

Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.

Michael
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I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.

Peter Weston
Shrewsbury

All work carried out effectively and efficiently.

Hubert Jones
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An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.

Eric
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From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.

Carl Gittins
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Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.

Ian Jamieson
Telford

Over the last seven years I have been represented by Lanyon Bowdler in a clinical negligence case. Throughout this time, I put my complete trust in the firm and they did not let me down.

Darren
via ReviewSolicitors

My solicitor kept me informed on everything in the five years that it took to have a successful claim.

Gill
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Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.

Lee

I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.

Heather
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Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.

Lisa Thacker

Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.

Lisa Thacker
Jennifer M Whittall Ltd

Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

Lee Mortimer
UK Case Management

Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

Mark Bowkett
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Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.

Tim
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We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.

Allenby Douglas Ltd
Oswestry

Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice

Ivor Brown
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Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

Paul Rowe
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Our first experience with a medical claim has been made that much more painless by the clear and consistent advice provided to date, thank you.

Peter
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Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.

Mr N J & Dr S J Browne
Llanfyllin

Contact Lanyon Bowdler Birth Injury Solicitors

If you feel that you have been the victim of medical negligence, whether through suffering a stillbirth, maternal injury, or undetected birth defects, the specialists here at Lanyon Bowdler can help you claim the financial compensation you deserve.

If you think a family member has been treated negligently by a hospital or a medical professional during pregnancy or labour – which has left your loved one distressed, in pain or with additional health problems, or even worse, then it is likely you are entitled to make a medical negligence claim. Give us a call or complete our online enquiry form, to see how our team can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Please call for a friendly, confidential and compassionate approach to your situation. There is no obligation you or any charges for our initial assessment.

By choosing Lanyon Bowdler for any form of Serious Injury Claim or Medical Negligence Claim, you can rest assured that you have the best legal expertise on your team. Lanyon Bowdler’s Medical Negligence team is widely acclaimed and recognised as one of the best clinical negligence departments in the country. We are committed to providing exceptional levels of client care and will work closely and considerately with you to help find the best outcomes and help to get your life back on track.

We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, and Telford, so are able to act for clients all over Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and across the Midlands (including Wolverhampton & Birmingham). As a leading full-service law firm, we can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.

Our people

Meet the team.

Beth Heath
Beth Heath
Partner
Medical Negligence
Emma Broomfield
Emma Broomfield
Partner
Medical Negligence
Laura Weir
Laura Weir
Partner
Medical Negligence
Lucy Small
Lucy Small
Partner
Medical Negligence
Isabella Drummond
Isabella Drummond
Paralegal Apprentice
Personal Injury | Medical Negligence
Phoebe Blythin
Phoebe Blythin
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Bryn Auger
Bryn Auger
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Rebecca Asquith
Rebecca Asquith
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Martin Hood
Martin Hood
Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Ola Muras
Ola Muras
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Emma Hart
Emma Hart
Associate Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Natasha Gibbons
Natasha Gibbons
Senior Associate Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Georgia Bennett
Georgia Bennett
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Amy Bills
Amy Bills
Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Claudia Booth
Claudia Booth
Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Sophie Bridges
Sophie Bridges
Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Nicole Smith
Nicole Smith
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Emily Poyner
Emily Poyner
Trainee Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Sarah Martin
Sarah Martin
Costs Draftsman
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Andrew Morris
Andrew Morris
Trainee Costs Draftsman
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Adam Hodson
Adam Hodson
Senior Associate Solicitor
Medical Negligence
David Hughes
David Hughes
Associate Costs Manager
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Kate Ivey
Kate Ivey
Legal Assistant (ACILEX)
Medical Negligence
Alicia Johns
Alicia Johns
Associate Legal Executive (FCILEX)
Medical Negligence
Kay Kelly
Kay Kelly
Consultant
Medical Negligence
Knowledge

Case studies.

Case Study
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Six Figure Settlement Obtained For Psychiatric Injuries Following Traumatic Birth

Throughout this pregnancy, Mrs XD developed a strong instinct that something would go wrong with the second twin if deli...
18 Jul 2023
Knowledge

Latest knowledge.

Case Study
Close up of flower

Six Figure Settlement Obtained For Psychiatric Injuries Following Traumatic Birth

Throughout this pregnancy, Mrs XD developed a strong instinct that something would go wrong with the second twin if deli...
18 Jul 2023
Blog

International Group B Strep Awareness Month...

1 July 2023 marks the start of International Group Strep B Awareness month. The aim of this campaign is to raise aw...
Natasha Gibbons • 03 Jul 2023
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Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

Despite the challenges those with cerebral palsy face, they are capable of achieving incredible things, thus highli...
Claudia Booth • 31 Mar 2023
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Breech Baby Scan

A scan showing that the baby is breech means that the baby could be manually turned or a planned C-section could be...
Beth Heath • 24 Apr 2019
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Countess Of Chester Baby Deaths

The long-running investigation into the hospital’s neonatal unit by Cheshire Constabulary began in May 2017.
Laura Weir • 03 Jul 2018
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