Pregnancy Complications

Pregnancy can be a difficult time for many women, and a good standard of reliable medical care is vital. Treatment for both mothers-to-be and their unborn babies is designed to keep both safe and well. It is a time at which many medical services and tests are offered, and being confident in their safety and effectiveness is very important.

If you feel that you have received negligent or inadequate care during pregnancy and this has caused you significant difficulties, you should consult a solicitor to advise on  whether it is appropriate to make a medical negligence case.

Can I Bring A Case For Medical Negligence?

There are many conditions and situations before, during and after pregnancy that are usually problem free but can occasionally be subject to negligence if performed incorrectly or unnecessarily, leading to complications or problems as a result. These include:

•    Ante-natal negligence. Medical professionals may misdiagnose, or fail to diagnose, serious health problems in an unborn baby.

•    Negligence during birth. Problems arising from incorrect use of medical instruments, anaesthetics or suturing can lead to complications for the mother and baby, including serious gynaecological damage for the mother. Negligence during birth can also be the cause of perinatal asphyxia, fractured bones, facial paralysis, spinal injury, cerebral palsy, brachial palsy and brain injury in infants.

•    Surgical error during birth. Complications and problems can also arise as a result of a surgical birth, and surgical error is another reason that a pregnancy complications case may be made. See our Surgical Error page for more information.

•    Negligence that affects your reproductive health. Any medical or gynaecological procedure that is performed incorrectly or without the expected standard of care can lead to problems with fertility and reproductive health. Procedures such as a hysterectomy or a pelvic floor repair can lead to complications and may amount to medical negligence if the medical professional in question is deemed to have delivered substandard care.

How Do I Proceed With A Case Relating To Pregnancy Complications?

Any medical procedure or process that has resulted in short or long term injury or damage to your health or that of your child should be investigated to see whether it has been caused by medical negligence.

If you believe that treatment you have received during your pregnancy or during or after the birth of your child has been negligent, you should consult a specialist medical negligence solicitor* to discuss your case.

Our principal Seamus O’Sullivan initially deals with all Medical Negligence cases; providing you with the experience, expert advice and support you need at a difficult time.

S.T. O’Sullivan & Co. Solicitors, 6, Bindon Street, Ennis, Co.Clare.

*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or a proportion of any award or settlement.