Inquest Into Death Of 30-Year-Old Concludes

The family of a Rotherham woman who died shortly after giving birth have spoken out after an inquest into her death concluded.

Vidal Marshall, 30, underwent a Caesarean section at Rotherham Hospital on 25 March, 2019.    Three days later, she collapsed while feeding her newborn son. She suffered a brain injury when she was starved of oxygen for 29 minutes and later died.

A post mortem examination report outlined the cause of death was a pulmonary embolism which led to cardiac arrest and brain injury.

Vidal’s family instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and establish answers as to why the mum-of-three died.

Vidal’s parents Philip and Linda Marshall have now spoken for the first time about their loss.

It comes after an inquest at Doncaster Coroner’s Court confirmed that Vidal died from a pulmonary embolism following a Caesarean section, which led to a cardiac arrest and brain injury.  It found that intra-abdominal bleeding caused by resuscitation and the administering of Alteplase medication to treat the pulmonary embolism was also a contributory factor.

Expert Opinion

“The past 11 months have been incredibly difficult for Vidal’s family, particularly Linda and Philip who have had to try and come to terms with losing their daughter while not having the answers to the many concerns they had.

Whilst the hospital staff were working on the basis that Vidal had suffered a pulmonary embolism, Linda and Philip were later told that Vidal died from a haemorrhage and breakdown of her Caesarean section wound. It was only when the post mortem examination report was complete that the suspicion of pulmonary embolism was confirmed. Vidal was identified as having risk factors for pulmonary embolism and she had felt unwell in the day before her collapse.

While nothing can make up for the pain felt by Linda and Philip, we are pleased that we have been able to secure them the vital answers they deserved as to how their daughter died."
Helen Royles-Jones - Solicitor-Advocate - Senior Associate

Vidal, who grew up in Sheffield, was already mother to two children when she was diagnosed with diabetes in 2017.  She was closely monitored during her third pregnancy and was advised she would need to be induced at 37 weeks due to being diabetic. 

The pregnancy progressed uneventfully. On 22 March 2019, Vidal’s labour was induced.  Three days later, there were still no signs of delivery so medical staff performed a Caesarean section.  There were no complications reported, the inquest was told.

Following the birth of her newborn son, he developed jaundice and Vidal was advised to stay in hospital with him.

Just after midnight on 28 March, Philip and Linda arrived at the hospital after being told Vidal had been taken very ill.  They were informed that she had suffered a heart attack.

Vidal was transferred to the intensive care unit, where she went into cardiac arrest again.  Medical staff battled to save her, but she sadly passed away three hours later.

In a joint statement after the inquest Linda, 51, and Philip, 56, said: “It has been such a traumatic time for us, having to deal with losing our daughter and then having to hear about it all over again at the inquest.

“Vidal was dearly loved by us all and we miss her so much.  She was a fantastic mum who adored her children. It is devastating to know that they will now grow up without her in their lives, particularly her newborn son who will never know her.  He is such a beautiful baby boy and we will tell him about his mum every day.

“While nothing will ever make up for losing Vidal we are grateful that the inquest has finally given us the answers we needed and provided our family with some closure.”

At the inquest, Senior Coroner Nicola Mundy recorded a narrative conclusion.

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