Bereavement Following Treatment at Basildon Maternity Unit
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Case Overview
Stephanie Prior’s death by medical negligence claim relating to the death of Gabriela Pintilie has been settled and approved by the High Court.
Stephanie represented the husband of Gabriela Pintilie, Ionel Pintilie, after his wife passed away following the birth of their daughter at Basildon University Hospital in Essex. Gabriela lost six litres of blood after giving birth to their daughter via caesarean section in February 2019. Several hours later, the Romanian mother died after doctors conducted emergency surgery and serious delays followed, along with a failure to deliver the right further care.
Family’s Struggle
Ionel Pintilie said his wife’s death was “incredibly difficult to comprehend.”
“We trusted the doctors and nurses to keep Gabriela safe, and I am so grateful for the doctors who tried to do this, but others let us down and have left me without the wife I loved since we were childhood sweethearts and our children without their devoted mother. The biggest tragedy is that Stefania will never know her mummy all because of the failure of others.”
Impact of the Settlement
The settlement will ensure that the family can access care for Gabriela’s daughter for the foreseeable future. However, any care will not replace the loss of her mother. Gabriela’s family pursued this case in such a dignified manner despite their significant grief following Gabriela’s death in such tragic circumstances.
Basildon Hospital Inquest
The inquest into Gabriela’s death was critical in uncovering the hospital’s failings, highlighting the importance of thorough investigations in such cases. Husband reveals wife’s final words.
Seeking Help
If you have suffered bereavement or birth injuries following treatment at the Basildon maternity unit or any other maternity unit, Stephanie and her team may be able to help. Please get in touch with Stephanie or complete the form below.
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Ben Posford leads the catastrophic injury team and regularly represents claimants in neurological injury and fatal accident claims. He also has a niche specialism in claims involving cauda equina syndrome.
Stephanie Prior is head of the clinical negligence department at Osbornes Law. She acts on a wide range of issues, including claims for brain injuries sustained at birth and delays in diagnosis. She frequently represents clients in fatal claims involving surgical error.
"Stephanie Prior is very empathetic and practical, she gets to the heart of a case quickly."
"Stephanie Prior is highly respected in the marketplace, with a great wealth of experience, superb judgment and medical knowledge that is second to none."
"Stephanie has always shown great judgment and common sense whilst building valuable relationships with her opponents."
"Stephanie Prior is a standout solicitor."
"Stephanie Prior is an experienced lawyer with immense knowledge of her specialism, which allows her to run her cases with strategic precision."
"Stephanie Prior is the leading spokesperson on the high profile maternity scandal cases involving many NHS Trusts."
"Stephanie knows her way effortlessly around any clinical negligence issue and has a great strategic mind."
"I know [we have] expressed our appreciation, but I also wanted to thank you for all your hard work, time and patience in pursuing mum’s claim through to a successful outcome - your kind and professional approach was genuinely appreciated."
“May I take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and true compassion in yet another very tough year of representation on the behalf of my wife. I certainly must say you did it all with amazing stamina and positivity which regenerated my self-esteem…. You honestly eased the pain and I can see a healing process ahead.”
Stephanie has developed a particularly strong reputation for her handling of birth injury claims, as well as cases concerning surgical negligence and delays in surgery.
"Stephanie Prior takes on complex cases and gets excellent results. She has a background in medicine which serves her clients well and is a realistic but tough litigator."
"Stephanie Prior is hugely dedicated, adored by her clients, tenacious, efficient and extremely knowledgeable."
"Stephanie Prior is very good with troubled clients and is easily able to make them feel at ease."
"Stephanie shows sensitivity and deals with things in an understanding way."
The lawyers in the team are highly experienced and will drive cases very hard on behalf of their clients.
"Stephanie Prior has a realistic attitude to the complexities of the cases. She wins the trust of her clients and goes the extra mile to ensure they get the best outcomes."
Stephanie’s background in medicine gives her an ability to read between the lines where medical records and expert evidence are concerned and is a great asset.
"Her knowledge base is second to none and her understanding of the litigation process stands out, as does her ability to work collaboratively."
"Stephanie Prior... manages a varied caseload, including obstetric claims, child and adult brain injury cases and fatal and non-fatal spinal cord injury cases."
"Stephanie is experienced, knowledgeable of all aspects of clinical negligence work, and strategic in running cases."
"Key team members include the approachable, compassionate and efficient Stephanie Prior."
"Solid personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims arising from fatalities and severe head and spinal injuries."
"Stuart is also very experienced in advising on fatal accidents and workplace accidents."
Stephanie Prior is always very professional and kind. Highly recommended.
Stephanie Prior is ‘very warm’ and ‘caring’, and an ‘exceptional professional’.
Stephanie Prior continues to receive widespread praise from clients, who state that she explains the legal aspects of the case very clearly, and she is also a caring person who handles cases on a personal level.
Stuart Kightley is praised for his expertise in catastrophic and fatal claims. Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team.
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