University Hospital Southampton Compensation Claim

If you have experienced medical negligence at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust you may be entitled to financial compensation. To speak to an expert about your situation, call Quittance on 0800 376 1001.

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University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (2010) Case Study

A 47 year old woman was awarded a total of £40,000 in an out of court settlement after negligent treatment left her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The woman, who was aged 42 at the time, gave birth to her first child at the University Hospital Southampton. It was noted at the time that the midwife administered Syntometrine (the trade name of the obstetric combination drug oxytocin/ergometrine), commonly given after the birth of the child to facilitate the delivery of the placenta and prevent post-partum haemorrhage. The midwife then delivered the placenta by controlled cord traction, which was checked and rechecked and recorded as being in 2 pieces, but complete.

The claimant, however, continued to lose blood and was eventually taken into theatre. As a consequence of losing over a litre of blood the claimant went into shock and had to be resuscitated. Whilst in theatre a third piece of placenta was removed, but it was several hours before the bleeding was brought under control. In total the claimant lost 3 litres of blood and required treatment in the ITU, away from her baby.

She was eventually discharged 9 days after the birth of her daughter, but felt unable to care for her or to establish breastfeeding as she was too weak.

Subsequently the claimant suffered from bilateral hip pain, PTSD and a moderate depressive episode in a recurrent depressive disorder.

Her recollection of the delivery of the placenta differed from what was recorded in her notes, in that she believed that the midwife had used excessive force and jerky movements. This gave her nightmares and she also had flashbacks of the time when her husband had found her haemorrhaging.

Feeling that she had missed out on the first few months of her daughter's life the claimant had a loss of confidence, low moods, fatigue, and lacked motivation.

Her husband had to take several months away from his business in order to care for his wife and new born daughter.

Compensation Settlement

The claimant had a pre-existing depressive order and remained vulnerable to further episodes of depression. It was uncertain as to whether her condition would improve.

She was awarded £40,000 (£47,554.74 RPI adjusted) of which it was estimated that £25,000 (£29,721.72 RPI adjusted), was for general damages for her pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Making a claim for medical or clinical negligence can seem initially overwhelming. Hospital Trusts are large complex organisations. Just finding out what happened can be complicated.

The panel of solicitors have significant experience in taking on hospital trusts and securing financial compensation for people affected by clinical or medical negligence.

Call us on 0800 376 1001 to discuss your situation with a claims expert or find out what your claim could be worth.

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Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.