We settled an obstetrics
negligence claim for Alison who was given the wrong drugs
during her labour at the Royal London Hospital. She accepted
£50,000 damages.
Alison became pregnant in early 1997 and was given an expected
date of delivery of 21 November 1997. She attended the Royal
London Hospital for care during her pregnancy which was
uncomplicated.
She was admitted to the Royal London Hospital at 5.40pm on
30 November 1997, 9 days after her due date. She had been having
contractions for 11 hours and an examination confirmed that she was
5cm dilated.
Alison requested an epidural but was told that no anaesthetist
was available to administer the pain relief. Instead a nurse
injected pethidine for pain relief and prochlorperazine to stop
Alison vomiting. Syntometrine (a drug used to manage the third
stage of labour containing ergometrine which causes prolonged
contraction of the uterus) had also been drawn up. The
Midwife administered the syntometrine instead of the
prochlorperazine.
By 7.30pm the baby's heart rate had dropped quite low to 90
beats per minute and a vaginal examination showed that the cervix
was rigid and closed. Alison's healthy daughter Paula was
delivered by emergency Caesarean section at 8.15pm. Both were
released from hospital within a few days.
However, Alison and her partner were both extremely distressed
by the events of her labour. Alison became depressed and at one
point threatened suicide. She also had difficulty bonding with her
daughter.
Alison instructed us to investigate a medical
negligence claim against the Royal London Hospital for
administering the wrong drug during her labour.
We obtained a report from an obstetrician who
confirmed that the midwife had been negligent in administering the
wrong drug. He also said that there had also been an unacceptable
delay in performing the Caesarean section. Psychiatric opinion
confirmed that Alison was suffering from severe post natal
depression with features of post traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD).
Proceedings were issued in December 1999 and the
hospital admitted to breach of duty of care.
Following negotiations they also admitted causing Alison's
injuries. Negotiations were entered into and the claim was
settled for £50,000. Alison did not have to pay any costs and
received the entire award.
For further information or if you have an obstetrics negligence compensation claim, call
Paul McNeil on 020 7861
4019 or email paul.mcneil@ffw.com
You can discuss your obstetrics
negligence claim with any member of our medical negligence team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.