Legal News
Mother and Baby Died From Midwifery Errors, Inquest Rules (26 January 2012)
Date: 26/01/2012
A mother and her newborn died from a treatable infection due to errors made by busy midwives. Lisa Kerr, aged 33, went into septic shock just four days following giving birth to her son, Jeremiah. Jeremiah, who was born premature, died a few days later, from the same infection that killed his mother. Yet David Kerr, Ms. Kerr’s father, was later arrested by police on suspicion of murdering his daughter and was forced to spend the night in custody. The police later concluded that Mr. Kerr did not cause his daughter’s death and released him without charge.
An inquest into the death of Ms. Kerr and her son heard that she was admitted to Coventry’s University Hospital labour ward during early morning on April the 20th, 2011. Ms. Kerr gave birth to her son yet subsequently began to feel unwell. The coroner was informed that on several separate occasions the staff on the labour ward failed to notice the warning signs of Ms. Kerr suffering from a severe infection. Ms Kerr, of Warwickshire, reportedly failed to receive regular check-ups. Doctors discharged her from the ward on the day she gave birth but her condition quickly worsened. Four days after leaving the hospital, Ms. Kerr collapsed while visiting her father. She was admitted to hospital but later died from streptococcal infection and septic shock. Ms. Kerr had two other children, Lael, aged nine, and Reuel, aged eight. Coroner Louise Hunt logged a narrative verdict on Ms. Kerr’s death, with neglect being noted as a contributing factor.
Duncan Lewis’ personal injury solicitors can fight for justice for families who have suffered from midwifery errors.