Compensation for Failure to Manage Pre-Eclampsia

How to Claim if you Suffered a Missed or Delayed Diagnosis

Compensation for failure to manage pre-eclampsia results from clinical negligence claims. Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, usually after the 20th week of gestation. It may also occur post-partum and may result in a claim if there is a delayed diagnosis after birth.

If pre-eclampsia is left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as eclampsia or HELLP syndrome. This condition poses severe risks to both mother and baby. A failure to promptly diagnose and treat pre-eclampsia can have serious consequences.

If this has happened to you or a loved one, pursuing a clinical negligence claim may help you secure financial compensation going forward. Jefferies Claims partners with lawyers who offer a ‘No Win, No Fee’ option and we may be able to help.

Red Flag Symptoms To Look Out For

The most frequent symptoms of pre-eclampsia may include:

• Severe headaches
• Swelling of hands, feet, or face
• Blurred vision or flashing lights
• Upper abdominal pain

 What is a Failure to Manage Pre-Eclampsia?

When medical professionals fail to follow accepted protocols in monitoring, diagnosing, or treating pre-eclampsia and this directly results in injury to mother or baby – this may amount to medical negligence.

Examples of mismanagement may include:

• Ignoring symptoms such as high blood pressure or vision problems
• Failing to conduct urine and blood pressure tests during antenatal visits
• Delays in referring the patient to a hospital or obstetrician
• Inadequate monitoring of at-risk patients
• Failing to recognise postnatal pre-eclampsia

These mistakes may result in severe birth injuries, premature birth, maternal stroke, or may even be potentially fatal. If you’ve experienced harm due to these failures, you may be entitled to pre-eclampsia compensation.

Missed and Delayed Diagnosis of Pre-Eclampsia

Missed Diagnosis

A missed diagnosis means that healthcare providers failed to identify pre-eclampsia despite the presence of clinical symptoms or test abnormalities. This may occur due to:

• Inadequate antenatal checks
• Inexperienced or overworked staff
• Misinterpretation of test results

Delayed Diagnosis

A delayed diagnosis happens when symptoms are noticed but not acted upon quickly enough. Delays can lead to worsening maternal or foetal health and emergency interventions such as unplanned caesarean sections.

When is it Clinical Negligence?

Legally, successful claim must prove:

1. Duty of care was owed
2. The duty was breached by falling below a reasonable standard of care
3. The breach caused harm that would not otherwise have occurred

In the context of pre-eclampsia, if a midwife or doctor failed to follow established protocols that other reasonable professionals would have followed, that could amount to a breach. If this has happened, you may be entitled to make a birth injury claim.

Postnatal Pre-Eclampsia Symptoms Missed

Many people don’t realise that pre-eclampsia can develop after childbirth, particularly within the first six weeks. Symptoms may appear after the mother has been discharged, and some GPs or A&E departments may overlook or misinterpret them.

Real-World Claim Examples

While each case is unique, common successful claims involve:

• Stillbirth due to untreated high blood pressure
• Emergency C-section after ignored symptoms
• Postnatal stroke after missed diagnosis
• Long-term disability in babies due to delayed delivery

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you may have grounds for a pre-eclampsia negligence claim

How to Claim Compensation for Pre-Eclampsia Negligence

If you believe your care was substandard, you can pursue a clinical negligence compensation claim. Here are your next steps:

Seek Legal Advice

Contact our team as we work with specialist clinical negligence solicitors with experience in maternity injury claims. It’s advisable to start your claim as early as possible.

Initial Case Review

Your lawyer will assess your case’s strength based on medical records and expert opinions.

Submit a Letter of Claim

The NHS Trust or private provider will be notified of your intention to claim by your lawyer.

Negotiate or Go to Court

Most claims settle out of court, but proceedings can be issued if necessary.

It’s important to know that you have three years from the date of the incident, or from the date when you became aware of potential negligence. For children, the clock starts when they turn 18.

What Can You Claim For?

Compensation is there to address both the suffering and the financial consequences of the negligence.

General Damages (for pain and suffering):

• Physical injury
• Psychological trauma (e.g., PTSD, birth trauma)

Special Damages (for financial loss):

• Private treatment or rehabilitation costs
• Loss of earnings (past and future)
• Home adaptations or mobility aids
• Childcare or specialist care for an injured baby

As each case is different, your solicitor will be able to advise you as to the potential amount for your specific claim.

Jefferies Claims can guide you through the process of how to claim compensation. We work with highly experienced lawyers in this field who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis, and we will give you the support and understanding you need at this difficult time.

📞 Call us at 0333 358 3034 for a free, no-obligation chat
🔗 Or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Us Page for more information

This article provides general legal information and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. In all instances you should always consult with a medical professional around life expectancy questions.