Last Updated 28/04/2026. The placenta is an organ which forms in the uterus, along with the baby, during pregnancy. Attached to the uterine wall, it connects mother and baby passing nutrients and oxygen from the mothers to the baby’s blood. The placenta will usually be delivered soon after the baby. In rare instances, part or the whole of the placenta may be left within the mother. This is known as a retained placenta. If the condition is not treated correctly and promptly it could lead to infection, postpartum hemorrhage and may even be fatal. Women who have been impacted by this condition may make a retained placenta compensation claim.
Key Takeaways
- Delivery of the placenta may be referred to as the 3rd stage of labour.
- Up to 3 in 100 women are affected by a retained placenta in the UK.
- Whilst a retained placenta may be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated, overall mortality rates are very low.
- There is a time limit in which to begin any birth injury claim.
- An advisor could provide a free evaluation of your case.
Our team of advisors are on hand to help you. They could connect you to one of our solicitors, who is an expert in handling medical negligence claims. Contact us today.
Jump To A Section
- How To Make A Claim For Retained Placenta Compensation
- What Is The Average Payout For Retained Placenta Negligence?
- The Retained Placenta Claims Time Limit
- How Can I Prove Negligence Was The Cause Of Placenta Retention?
- What Factors Lead To Heightened Risk Of Retained Placenta?
- Why Claim Retained Placenta Compensation With Public Interest Lawyers
- Can Retained Placenta Claims Be Made On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Retained Placenta FAQs
- More Information
How To Make A Claim For Retained Placenta Compensation
In order to make a claim for retained placenta compensation, you need to show that your case meets the required eligibility criteria. These are that:
- Medical or healthcare professionals owed you a duty of care.
- This duty was breached.
- The breach caused you to suffer harm which was unnecessary or avoidable.
Any medical professional providing treatment during your pregnancy, labour and postpartum period has a duty of care to you. They must meet the minimum standards expected of such a professional. In the case of pregnancy, this may involve adhering to standards for midwives set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and/or those set by the General Medical Council.
Following a vaginal birth, it is not uncommon for small amounts of placental tissue to remain in the uterus. Retained products of conception (RPOC) such as retained placenta, womb lining or other tissues, can occur even where care meets relevant professional standards. For example, where a small amount of tissue remains and there are no complications, you may not be able to make a claim.
Grounds To Make Retained Placenta Claims
Claims could be made where poor medical care, which fell below expected professional standards, led to a retained placenta. Such instances may include:
- Where delayed diagnosis or treatment results in a patient suffering prolonged bleeding, contracting an infection or requiring surgery.
- Instances where a healthcare professional ignores the risk signs or actual symptoms of retained tissue.
- Where an RPOC of more than 3cm was left inside a patient after a caesarean section.
- Where a patient is not monitored adequately during the postnatal period, or where their concerns are not properly investigated and they end up with an infection requiring surgery, which wouldn’t have occurred had they been monitored or listened to.
- Instances where a significant amount of placental or other tissue remains after delivery could indicate that your treatment fell short of expected standards.
If a medical or healthcare professional failed to meet these minimum standards, leading to you being harmed, you could make a retained placenta compensation claim.
What Is The Average Payout For Retained Placenta Negligence?
Though there may be an average payout for retained placenta negligence, any such figure may not be helpful. This is because all medical negligence claims are calculated on an individual basis.
For example, where a retained placenta led to infertility and sexual dysfunction, a claimant may be awarded between £140,210 and £207,260. This figure comes from guidelines the Judicial College (JCG) publishes. Parties involved in calculating medical negligence payouts may use the JCG as a guideline. However, not all patients will suffer this level of harm, or they may suffer multiple injuries as part of a birth injury claim.
The amount presented as an example above, and the further examples in the following table, represent that which may be awarded in general damages. This is the part of a compensation settlement awarded automatically when you make a successful claim. A second type of compensation, special damages, may also be awarded. These are discussed later in the guide.
Please be aware that these figures are only examples and do not guarantee what you may be awarded. In addition, the first figure has not been taken from the JCG.
| Harm | Severity | Damages guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple types of harm to the reproductive system | Severe - multiple types of harm to reproductive system and incurred special damages, such as care costs, medical expenses and loss of earnings | Up to £500,000+ |
| Female reproductive system. | A - infertility/ sexual dysfunction. | £151,790 - £224,670 |
| B - Sexual dysfunction. The claimant has children or would not have had them. | £56,820 - £134,900 | |
| C - infertility + no aggravating features. | £74,090 - £94,260 | |
| D - infertility + no medical complications/ sexual dysfunction. | £23,730 - £48,540 | |
| Post-traumatic stress disorder | A - severe with permanent effects preventing victim from working | £79,080 - £133,000 |
| B - moderately severe but some recovery with professional help | £30,580 - £79,080 | |
| Digestive system. | B - illness/ damage from non-traumatic injury. Severe toxicosis. (i) | £50,770 - £69,360 |
| B - disabling pain, cramps and diarrhoea. (iv) | £5,220 - £12,600 |
Our team could provide information on how private healthcare or NHS negligence payouts may be calculated.
What Other Damages Can Be Included In Retained Placenta Compensation?
There are other forms of damages which could be included when claiming retained placenta compensation. Whether you are claiming for birth trauma or any other type of medical negligence, you may be able to include special damages within your claim.
Special damages are an extensive category, compensating for financial losses associated with your claim. Broadly, they could compensate you for,
- Lost income. This may include lost income, earnings and workplace benefits. You may have been unable to work for a period of time whilst recovering. Reclaiming these losses could enable you to still provide for loved ones during this difficult time. In some instances, this may form the bulk of a final settlement.
- Medical bills. You may reclaim the costs of medical treatment such as surgery, long-term medication and therapy (whether physical or psychological).
- Care costs. This could include any care in the home or that from specialist care providers.
You must provide appropriate evidence to reclaim medical expenses, lost earnings or any other cost. Bank statements, receipts, invoices and estimates may commonly be used to prove such losses.
Our advisors could review the details of your case and help determine how much retained placenta compensation you may claim.
The Retained Placenta Claims Time Limit
You must start your claim within a 3 year period. The retained placenta claims time limit is set by the Limitation Act 1980. This begins on the date on which you were harmed, or when you became aware of the harm (the date of knowledge). The effects of medical negligence may not always be apparent straight away. As such, you have from when you are aware of the harm to start a claim.
There are 2 notable exceptions to the 3-year limitation period. These are for:
- Adults lacking the mental capacity to claim. The time limit will only be applied if this person regains their capacity to make a claim.
- Minors under the age of 18. The time limit does not begin till their 18th birthday because children cannot manage a claim.
You could claim retained placenta compensation on behalf of a loved one in one of these categories by acting as their litigation friend. This is someone who has been appointed by the court to handle the claim on behalf of the person harmed. They represent the claimant, communicate with their solicitor and make decisions about the case on their behalf.
How Can I Prove Negligence Was The Cause Of Placenta Retention?
You can prove negligence caused your retained placenta by collating as much evidence as possible which shows how your case meets the eligibility criteria. Additionally, medical negligence claims may be subject to the Bolam test. This involves a relevant medical expert assessing the care and treatment you received. They would then determine whether this met the correct professional standard.
Further to this, you could collect evidence such as:
- Medical records from your pregnancy, labour and postpartum periods. These records may illustrate when and how a healthcare provider failed to meet expected standards.
- Correspondence between you (or your loved one) and their doctor, hospital or other healthcare provider.
- Witness contact details may be taken. Later a solicitor may ask this person or persons to provide a witness statement supporting your account of events.
- The findings of a Bolam test (if conducted).
- The results of an independent medical assessment. This may be requested by your solicitor to provide additional medical evidence. It may be carried out by a relevant medical professional.
- Financial records which support your claim for special damages.
These types of evidence can help to show that you have a valid claim. A medical negligence solicitor from our panel could help you gather these and other types of evidence. Contact us to get help with your medical negligence claim.
What Factors Lead To Heightened Risk Of Retained Placenta?
Factors which could lead to a heightened risk of a retained placenta could include having previously had a retained placenta or a family history (on the mother or fathers side) of retained placenta.
Other potential risk factors may include:
- Giving birth prematurely.
- Having had an abortion.
- Having had a miscarriage.
- Previous womb surgery, such as Dilation and Curettage surgery.
- Having given birth more than 5 times.
- Having womb abnormalities.
These potential risk factors should be highlighted and monitored by your midwife or doctor. If they fail to do so, they may have failed to meet professional standards. Our panel could help you to sue a midwife or doctor for negligence. Contact an advisor today to see if you are eligible to be connected to a solicitor from our panel.
Why Claim Retained Placenta Compensation With Public Interest Lawyers
Claiming for retained placenta compensation with Public Interest Lawyers will mean that you are going through the claims process with an expert medical negligence solicitor with a proven track record of success, maximising your compensation and minimising the stress of the process. The services that they offer to ensure that this is the case include:
- Organising thorough medical assessments to prove that another medical professional would have carried out the childbirth procedure differently and therefore negligence was involved.
- Contacting the medical professional or organisation to make them aware that you are bringing a claim and to confirm cooperation
- Handling legal documentation that may go ahead so that your main focus can be your recovery.
- Carrying out online or at home consultations so that you feel as comfortable as possible
- Answering any of your questions and explaining any complex legal jargon so that you know what is happening with your claim at all times
Our solicitors have so much more to offer when helping you with your claim. Call one of our supportive advisors to find out how much retained placenta compensation you could receive when claiming with one of our solicitors today.
Can Retained Placenta Claims Be Made On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, retained placenta claims can be made on a No Win No Fee basis with our solicitors, who will offer you the chance to enter a Conditional Fee Agreement. Conditional Fee Agreements are a type of No Win No Fee arrangement, which will benefit you because:
- They do not require any upfront payments for the services of your solicitor
- You will not have to make any ongoing payments for the work of your solicitor during the claims process
- An unsuccessful claimant will not make payments for their solicitor’s work
If your claim succeeds, a ‘success fee’ will be deducted from your compensation, which is a small, legally capped percentage. Therefore, you will receive most of the compensation that is awarded to you.
To learn more about claiming for retained placenta compensation with one of our solicitors under a No Win No Fee arrangement, contact a member of our advisory team today.
Contact Our Team
If you or a loved one have been impacted by any of the circumstances discussed in this guide, our advisory team could help you. Advisors are on hand to provide information and assistance. Contact them to discuss your claim for retained placenta compensation and find out if you are eligible to be connected to a solicitor from our panel.
- Call now on 0800 073 8803.
- Send the details of your case using our contact form.
- Talk to us live on our chat.
Retained Placenta FAQs
Here you can find the answers to some frequently asked questions related to retained placenta cases.
What Is The Process For Diagnosing Retained Placenta?
The process for diagnosing a retained placenta includes the length of time since the birth of the baby, visual checks and ultrasound scans. The placenta should be delivered in around 30 to 60 minutes following a successful delivery. Women may be given a drug called oxytocin, which can mean it is delivered within 30 minutes. Without the drug it may take up to 1 hour. If the placenta has not been delivered after this, your midwife should diagnose it as being retained.
Following delivery of the placenta, it should be visually inspected to ensure that it is complete. If medical professionals suspect it is incomplete they may order an ultrasound to detect any remaining pieces.
Can Retained Placentas Be Treated?
A retained placenta can be treated through one of several different options. Initially, during the 30 – 60 minutes following the birth of a baby women may be helped to empty their bladder, to try breastfeeding (encouraging the body to produce oxytocin), massage of the mothers tummy or oxytocin injections.
If the placenta is retained, treatment may involve,
- Manual removal of the placenta – under anaesthetic, a doctor may visually examine the woman and manually (by hand), gently detach and remove the placenta.
- Surgery – such as curettage or hysteroscopy may be carried out to remove any placental tissues.
What Are The Risks Of Placenta Tissue Being Retained?
Placenta tissue being retained could lead to several risks. These include,
- Infections. Retained tissue could create ground for infections. If left untreated, this could lead to sepsis.
- Subinvolution of the uterus. Retained tissue prevents the uterus returning to its normal size. This may cause discomfort and a prolonged recovery.
- Postpartum haemorrhage. Retained placental tissue prevents the uterus from properly contracting. Blood vessels are not closed and the woman experiences excessive bleeding.
- Chronic pain and discomfort. Ongoing pain in the pelvis and/or cramping which slows down recovery after giving birth.
- Infertility and complications. Scar tissue forms, such as due to the surgical removal of tissue. This may affect fertility and increase the risk of problems during future pregnancies.
What Steps Should Be Taken To Avoid Placenta Retention?
Various steps may be taken to avoid placenta retention. These may include,
- Regular checkups during pregnancy where any risk factors, such as previous retained placenta, are addressed.
- Active management of the third stage of labour, such as the administration of oxytocin.
- Controlled cord traction, where gentle pressure is placed on the umbilical cord to encourage the placenta to detach.
If you have been impacted by retained placenta negligence, you could claim compensation. Our advisory team is on hand to help you get a claim started.
More Information
In this final part of our guide, you can learn more about making retained placenta negligence claims and find medical resources.
- Learn more about making medication error claims in this guide.
- Here we examine when and how blood clot claims could be made.
- Our team could help with prescription error compensation claims.
References.
- You can read about the different stages of labour and birth in this guide from the NHS.
- Read more about the safety and quality of maternity care in England in this parliamentary briefing.
- Learn more about standards for midwifery services in the UK in this resource from the Royal College of Midwives.
Thank you for reading our guide to making a retained placenta compensation claim. Please get in touch with our team if you have been affected by any of the circumstances discussed in this guide.