Baby Dies After HELLP Syndrome Misdiagnosis

Background

Mrs B was pregnant with her second child. She already had a daughter and suffered one miscarriage in between those two pregnancies.

Her pregnancy had progressed well with no difficulties. However, one day she woke with pain in her abdomen. On assessment at the hospital, blood tests showed low platelet count and high ALT levels. It was thought she may be suffering from HELLP. Mrs B was admitted and discharged a week later, with her pain still unexplained at this stage.  

Having been discharged from hospital, Mrs B was readmitted the following day after a routine midwifery appointment. Her blood pressure was elevated and protein was found in her urine.

On readmission to hospital, again thought to be suffering from HELLP, the plan was to proceed with induction of labour. At this stage, Mrs B was 34 weeks pregnant and induction was likely to take 1-2 days. She collapsed early in the morning; it subsequently transpired that this was likely the time at which her liver ruptured.

Mrs B's daughter was born, but sadly passed away two days later.

Mrs B suffered a hepatic rupture and a pulmonary embolism. She was on anti-coagulation therapy for 6 months and has to take heparin prophylaxis for any travel of more than 4 hours. She was also advised to delay any further pregnancy until her liver fully healed from the rupture. 

We pursued this misdiagnosis claim on the basis that, if a decision had been made to proceed with a caesarean section at the appropriate time, Mrs B's baby would have been born unharmed and Mrs B would have avoided the hepatic rupture, the PE and the psychological impact of these events.

Settlement

Mrs B's claim was settled for £130,000 following our investigations and negotiations with the Defendants.

This case was led by Corrina Mottram.

NOTE: While our case studies are designed to give an indication of the outcomes that can be achieved in these circumstances, the compensation awarded in individual cases can vary significantly due to a range of factors, including effects on life expectancy, the severity of the medical negligence that took place, and the financial impact.