C-section Negligence Solicitors

Our c-section negligence specialists are here to help

While some mothers may plan to undergo a C-section, or caesarean, others may not. C-sections are usually given in times of emergency and to potentially avoid birth injuries, when a mother is struggling to give birth naturally and the baby is potentially at risk.

For any mother who has a C-section, no matter the reason, the last thing they expect is negligence during the process. Unfortunately in some cases, negligence can cause injury to either mother or baby, or even both.

Caesarean claims

In the final trimester of pregnancy, a lot of careful planning is involved. For new mothers especially, labour can prove to be longer than expected and could lead to trauma, so birth plans may include contingencies for if something was to go wrong.

For some mothers, a C-section is an ideal option especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions that could put them in danger during labour. Whatever the decision, it’s so important for medical staff to monitor an expecting mother in the final days of her pregnancy, all the way through the birth, and to intervene if the mother and baby are at risk.

The most common intervention during birth is an emergency C-section. Medical staff may choose to administer a C-section for a number of reasons:

• If the mother’s pelvis isn’t wide enough to allow a safe, natural birth;
• If the baby is breech;
• Failed attempts at delivery with forceps;
• “Placenta praevia” – where birth is obstructed by the membrane;
• Foetal distress, where the baby’s heart rate may slow down;
• A prolapsed umbilical cord;
• A uterine rupture (usually most common if the mother has had a C-section previously).

Unfortunately, negligence can occur during this procedure.

Medical negligence during a C-section

There are several scenarios that could amount to medical negligence during a C-section. These might include:

• Causing excessive bleeding with surgical error;
• Damage to other internal organs, such as the bladder or kidneys;
• Blood clots that might cause blockages between the heart and lungs;
• Poor stitching technique, leading to avoidable scarring, infection or the wound re-opening;
• Cuts to the baby’s skin once the womb is opened.

If you have suffered any type of injury during your C-section that was caused by the negligence of a medical professional, we can help you. We recognise the importance of receiving an apology from those who caused the negligence, and any awards of compensation that may help with ongoing care needs following the negligence.

What’s the time limit for bringing a C-section claim?

You have three years from the date of your C-section negligence to bring your claim. You can find out more about the timings in the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.