Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) compensation claims

A midwife can detect the early signs or symptoms of MAS, which include:  

• lots of meconium drainage when a pregnant woman's waters break
• fluid that is stained a yellowish or blue/green colour
• skin discoloured blue
• fingernails discoloured blue
• a blue umbilical cord
• a baby with rapid breathing
• a limp and not as resolved as a usual newborn
• a baby grunting 
• a baby pulling on and pushing out its chest 

Unfortunately, MAS cannot be prevented and poses a risk to every single newborn. However, it is possible for healthcare workers to identify if a baby is at risk of MAS. These babies at risk are babies who:

• are overdue
• are part of long labour
• have a mother with diabetes
• have a mother who has high blood pressure

MAS must be treated immediately. Otherwise, a baby faces long-term respiratory problems. Also, medical staff should perform blood tests and X-rays to ensure their lungs are clear and that they have ample oxygen.

The ways to treat MAS include:

• inserting an endotracheal tube in the upper and lower airways
• oxygen therapy and a surfactant treatment
• antibiotics

If there are signs of potential MAS during labour, medical staff should monitor labour and delivery incredibly carefully.

Unfortunately, there can be complications of MAS. These include:

• asthma
• other breathing difficulties
• chest infections
• permanent lung damage
• seizures
• reactive airway disease 

Where meconium aspiration syndrome is not treated effectively it can cause serious complications, such as:

• significant brain damage
• lifelong disability 
• cerebral palsy
• death

If MAS treatment is delayed or the condition is misdiagnosed, it can increase the risks for the newborn. This is because the longer the condition is untreated, the more likely a baby will be deprived of oxygen and therefore, sadly suffer brain damage. 

Due to the nature of how MAS occurs, it is not something that is likely to happen simply because of medical negligence. However, medical negligence may occur once the baby has inhaled the contaminated fluid. This is where MAS is not identified quickly and treated adequately.

To prove that you received negligent treatment when claiming MAS negligence, your solicitor will need to gather evidence to support your claim. This will usually include, for example, your medical records.

You may be eligible to make a compensation claim for MAS if the care you recieved was not at an acceptable level, and due to this you have suffered. Give us a no-obligation call on or request a callback here to find out more.

You can make a MAS claim on behalf of your child before they reach their 18th birthday. Once your child reaches 18, if you have not made a claim on their behalf they have three years from their 18th birthday to make a claim.

If you believe that the NHS have been negligent in terms of MAS you may be able to file a medical negligence compensation claim against them. We know claiming against the NHS can be daunting, but if the NHS has been negligent and caused MAS, you have the right to make a MAS compensation claim. 

You can also make a MAS compensation claim against a private hospital if you believe they acted negligently in relation to MAS. Speak to your solicitor about how to go about this. 

The amount of compensation you get from a MAS compensation claim depends on the circumstances of your claim. For example, a child who had a hypoxia brain injury and suffers a terrible disability was given a compensation payout of £4.6 million and will get yearly payments for life of £360,000.

The way MAS compensation is calculated when you make a medical negligence claim depends on two things:

•  how serious your injury is
• costs you had had to pay and financial losses suffered

Your solicitor will assess how the above has affected you in order to calculate the amount of compensation you should receive.

Compensation can, for example:

• provide therapies needed such as speech and language therapy 
• mean you have money to adapt your vehicle for your child's disability 
• cover care costs
• pay for medical treatment and exercises 

You may be able to make a MAS compensation claim on a no-win no-fee basis. When you make a no win no fee claim with us your personal injury lawyer will take out insurance on your behalf that will cover all your claim costs and expenses including medical report fees, court fees and any barrister fees; so long as you comply with their terms and conditions, you won't have to pay any costs upfront, and there are no hidden surprises.

There is a strict time limit to start a MAS compensation claim. A compensation claim must be made within three years from the date you were aware that the medical negligence happened. This is the date of knowledge. If you are claiming on behalf of a child, the limit to claim is 3 years from their 18th birthday.

This depends on the circumstances, as well as how long your injuries may take to heal. Also, when you make a medical negligence claim, the time frame can depend on whether the party you claim is at fault admits liability or not.

Only around 5% of our personal injury cases have to go to court.

If eligible, when passed on to one of our panels of solicitor firms, they can support your case for MAS compensation. They have excellent experience in medical negligence claims, so tere is no need to worry. Our MAS solicitors will gather all the evidence required to support your claim, working with you throughout the process. 

Before this stage, we have a highly competent and friendly team of helpline advisors. They will be your first port of call, listening to what you have gone through leading to your potential MAS claim. 

You can find out more about strating a claim with us by finding out in advance how much compensation you may receive. You can do this online by using our compensation calculator. 

Starting your claim is straightforward and stress-free. Call us today at , or you can request a call back here. Once you have taken this first step you have begun the process of getting any money you are rightly owed.

So what is stopping you from calling us today at ? If it's easier, you can always request a call back here.