C-Section Compensation Claim Solicitors

Are you looking for help with a C-Section Compensation Claim?

Our specialist medical negligence solicitors are determined to make life a little easier for those affected, by helping you and your child get the compensation and future healthcare support you may need.

If you want to learn more about whether you could have a C-Section Negligence Claim, the process of claiming for compensation or how much you could be entitled to – call us for free on the number at the top of this page, or complete the online contact form and a member of our expert team will get back to you. 

What is a caesarean section?

A caesarean section (also called a C-section) is a surgical operation which involves a cut being made below a mother’s bikini line so that the baby may be delivered. 

Around 25% of all pregnant women in the UK will have a caesarean birth, but despite being common, a caesarean section is sill a major operation that comes with risks – many of which are severe.

Because of this, doctors have a responsibility to ensure that all proper procedures are followed, and that the operation can be conducted as safely as possible, minimising any harm to the mother or child.

What is caesarean section negligence?

While there is always the chance for complications to arise during a surgery, medical professionals have a responsibility to follow the correct protocols and a duty of care to their patients.

If a mother or child undergoes harm that could have been avoided (had their healthcare team acted appropriately) then this could be an example of caesarean section negligence, and those affected could have a claim.

Caesarean section negligence is an extremely difficult thing to go through and can leave those impacted feeling powerless.

For all involved, getting the best legal advice as soon as possible is essential.

Why us?

We are SDS Solicitors, a Manchester-based specialist medical negligence law firm dedicated to helping those who suffer through caesarean section negligence get the help they deserve.

Despite being based in the North, we help people from all over England and Wales navigate through this challenging time by providing expert legal advice – and we’ve been doing it since 1997.

We also specialise in no win no fee claims, which means that if you don't win, you won't have to pay.

Our commitment to the very best standard of customer service has earned us Lexcel accreditation, so you know your claim is in good hands.

If you want to learn more about whether you could have a claim, the process of claiming for compensation or how much you could be entitled to – call us for free on the number at the top of this page, or complete the online contact form and a member of our expert team will get back to you. 

Why might a caesarean section be necessary?

In some cases where a vaginal birth may carry too many risks for the mother and child, a caesarean will be planned before the mother goes into labour. This will typically be discussed with the healthcare team from the 39^th week of pregnancy.

This might be decided if the mother has high blood pressure related to the pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), an infection, or placenta praevia (a condition in the latter half of pregnancy where the placenta is low-lying).

When the caesarean section has been planned ahead of time, then the doctor or midwife should ensure that the mother is aware of the potential risks of both a caesarean section and vaginal birth.

Meanwhile, some caesarean section births are carried out last minute. This can happen if the baby is in breech position and cannot be turned, if the baby isn’t getting enough nutrients or oxygen, or if there is excessive vaginal bleeding.

For caesarean section births carried out last minute, there may not have been time for the doctor or midwife to discuss all of the risks of the procedure with the patient.

How does caesarean section negligence occur?

If prior to, during or after a caesarean, the mother or child have experienced avoidable physical or psychological trauma, then they could be victims of caesarean section negligence.

Some common examples of caesarean section negligence that mothers and babies may face include:

• The medical team failing to decide to perform the caesarean section in a timely manner, or at all, resulting in injuries
• Errors made during the caesarean causing physical harm
• The mother or child experiencing an infection post-surgery that the medical team fail to diagnose and/or correctly treat

Complications can arise during any surgery, including caesarean sections.

But when medical professionals fail to correctly deal with these complications, or cause complications due to improper care, then they may be acting negligently.

Here are some examples of how negligent care might affect a patient.

What injuries may be sustained by the mother during a caesarean section?

Injuries to the bladder

During a caesarean section, a cut is made in the mother’s lower stomach and an incision is made in the uterus.

However, because the bladder obstructs the uterus, the surgeon must first push the bladder downwards so that part of the uterus can be exposed for the operation.

Sometimes, the bladder may sustain injuries during this process.

Before the end of the operation, the surgeon must try to repair the damage caused. If the medical team do not recognise and try to fix damage to the bladder, then this could be an example of medical negligence.

Accidental perforation of the bladder

In some cases, the bladder may suffer perforation in the wrong place during surgery.

During the caesarean section, the skin above the bladder must be cut by the surgeon. Surgeons should be aware of where the bladder is, so when a cut is mistakenly made through the bladder rather than the skin above the bladder or the uterus, then the baby could end up being delivered through the bladder.

The surgeon’s failure to understand where they are making an incision could be an example of medical negligence.

External or internal infections

External infections can develop after a C-section. Medical professionals should monitor the mother for signs of external infection (e.g., scar tenderness) or signs of an internal infection (e.g., a bad smell, redness, or pain) and should act quickly.

While infections are always a possibility in any surgery, infections caused by negligent care, or dealt with negligently, can be examples of negligence.

If medical professionals cause an infection through not following the correct hygiene procedures during surgery or through insufficient stitching, or if they do not appropriately diagnose the infection, then this could be considered caesarean section negligence.

What injuries may be sustained to the baby during a caesarean section as a result of negligent care?

Unfortunately, every caesarean section could potentially pose certain risks to the child. If medical staff provide negligent care, then the chance of the child suffering harm increases.

Often, this can arise when the medical team fail to quickly diagnose complications and react appropriately, thereby potentially worsening the impact of said complications. At this point, the healthcare team’s reactions to those complications can be considered negligent.

Negligent care can result in:

• Breathing difficulties or other health concerns worsening
• Cuts to the baby’s skin during the procedure

No baby should suffer negligent care.

How do I make a claim for caesarean section negligence?

If you, or someone you know, have suffered avoidable harm before, during or after your caesarean section because of a healthcare professional’s actions, then you may have a claim.

Caesarean section negligence is incredibly traumatic, and the process of making a claim can often put additional stress on those involved. But there is help available.

Getting the right legal advice is vital and can demystify the process of making a claim.

Remember: you are not alone. At SDS, we’re there with you every step of the way.

For the best, expert legal advice regarding your situation, clarity around whether you could have a claim, and help making a claim, get in touch with us today.

Contact our team

All enquiries are welcome, whether you are ready to make a claim, or you have only recently become aware of the negligent treatment you received and would like to find out more your options.

Our personal injury law firm is based in Manchester, and works closely with the community around the area, including handling birth injury claims from Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Prestwich, Bury and Radcliffe.

However, our medical negligence solicitors represent clients from anywhere in England and Wales, with no obligation to proceed beyond your free initial claim assessment.

You will find all our details on our Contact Us page, and you can get in touch via email, telephone or SMS to request a callback or to schedule a free consultation.

We know that a traumatic birth can have a lasting emotional impact on both parents, whether there was negligence or not, so we always treat enquiries with care and sensitivity.

To discuss your circumstances and find out whether you have grounds to make a C-Section Negligence Claim, please get in touch today and we will be happy to help.