Retained Placenta
If you've suffered complications because medical staff failed to properly manage your retained placenta, we understand the physical and emotional toll this has taken. At The Medical Law Partnership Solicitors, we specialise in helping women like you claim compensation when negligent aftercare following childbirth has caused unnecessary harm. We recognise how traumatic this experience must have been during what should have been a joyful time, and we're here to support you through the legal process with expertise and compassion.
How common are retained placenta claims?
Retained placenta occurs in about 3% of vaginal deliveries, and while it’s a known complication, proper medical management should prevent serious consequences. We handle numerous cases each year where women have suffered unnecessarily because medical staff failed to follow established procedures for dealing with retained placenta. When this results in severe bleeding, infections, or the need for emergency surgery that could have been avoided, you may have strong grounds for a compensation claim. The physical and psychological impact can be significant, and if this has happened to you, we can help you seek justice.
Several critical mistakes can turn a manageable complication into a dangerous situation. Medical staff may have failed to recognise you had a retained placenta despite clear warning signs like excessive bleeding or the placenta not delivering within the expected time frame. There might have been delays in performing an examination or manual removal when needed, allowing complications to develop. We’ve handled cases where doctors used inappropriate techniques to remove the placenta, causing unnecessary tissue damage or infection.
After removal, there may have been failures in monitoring you for complications like post partum haemorrhage or infection. Some women aren’t given proper antibiotics when needed, or their worsening symptoms are dismissed as “normal” post partum recovery. In severe cases we’ve seen, the delays lead to emergency hysterectomies, septic shock, or long-term reproductive problems. If any of these failures sound familiar, we can investigate whether the care you received fell below acceptable standards.
Beginning your claim with us is straightforward, and we’ll guide you through each step with sensitivity to what you’ve been through. When you first contact us, one of our specialist solicitors will listen carefully to your experience – we understand how difficult it can be to talk about traumatic birth experiences, and we’ll proceed at your pace. We’ll explain the legal process in clear terms and assess whether you may have grounds for a claim.
We’ll obtain your complete maternity records and arrange for independent medical experts to review your case. These experts help determine whether earlier or different intervention could have prevented the harm you suffered. If we believe you have a strong case, we’ll handle all the legal complexities while keeping you fully informed throughout the process. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so you can pursue justice without worrying about upfront legal costs during this challenging time.
The compensation you may receive depends on how the negligence has affected your life. It can include awards for the additional pain and suffering caused by the complications, both physically and emotionally. Many of our clients receive compensation for the psychological trauma of what should have been a joyful time turning into a medical emergency. If you’ve needed additional surgeries or treatments, these costs can be included in your claim.
You may be able to claim for lost earnings if you’ve needed extra time to recover, or if your ability to work has been affected long-term. In cases where the negligence led to loss of fertility or reproductive organs, this life-changing impact will be reflected in your compensation. The costs of counselling, private treatments, or specialist therapies can also be included. We’ll ensure every aspect of your suffering – physical, emotional and financial – is properly accounted for in your claim.
Most retained placenta negligence claims take between two to four years to resolve, though complex cases involving severe injuries can take longer. We understand this may feel frustrating when you’re dealing with the consequences of what happened, but thorough investigation is essential to build the strongest possible case for you.
The process involves carefully reviewing your medical records, obtaining expert opinions, and sometimes negotiating with healthcare providers. While we work as efficiently as possible, we won’t rush your claim at the expense of achieving full and fair compensation. Throughout the process, we’ll keep you regularly updated and explain each development in clear terms. Starting your claim sooner rather than later helps ensure all relevant evidence is preserved while memories are fresh.
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