Widower Asks Medical negligence Lawyers To Secure Answers

A widower whose wife died days after suffering a bleed on the brain following childbirth has revealed his devastation – and asked lawyers to secure answers. 

Ilona Kazik suffered a major obstetric bleed shortly after the baby she and her husband Rafal had spent five years trying for, was born via caesarean section at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. The 32-year-old had attended the hospital the day before and been diagnosed with high blood pressure. 

Post-childbirth scan showed Ilona had suffered bleed on the brain

After baby Antony’s birth, Ilona, of Luton, complained of a headache, blurred vision, and vomiting as well as feeling drowsy. Her blood pressure remained high, and she became unresponsive. A CT scan showed she had suffered a bleed on the brain. 

She was transferred to a specialist neurological unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital near Cambridge. A further CT scan showed Ilona had suffered a major brain injury. 

Doctors said there was nothing they could do to treat Ilona. Her life support was withdrawn, and she died on 25 February, 2023, 11 days after Antony was born. Ilona never got to hold her baby.

Ilona's husband asks medical negligence lawyers to secure answers over her maternity care

Rafal, 43, has instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help secure answers regarding her care at an upcoming inquest into her death. 

Daniella Gregory is the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Rafal.

Expert Opinion

“Attempting to try and come to terms with Ilona’s death has been incredibly difficult for Rafal and his family.

“They have a number of concerns about the circumstances leading up to Ilona’s death. What should have been one of the happiest times in their lives, ended in tragedy.

“While nothing can bring Ilona back, the inquest is a major milestone in being able to provide the family with the answers they deserve. The family hope that this process will shed light on what happened and help them begin to heal.

“High blood pressure during pregnancy and childbirth can lead to serious complications if not treated appropriately. If the inquest identifies any issues in the care Ilona received, it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve maternity safety.” Daniella Gregory

Ilona twice visited Luton hospital before she was admitted for induction of labour

Ilona, a hospital worker, attended the maternity triage unit at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital just after midnight on 13 February, 2023, after her waters broke at home. 

Following an examination, she was found to have high blood pressure and was given medication for this. She was sent home at around 3am with advice to return if she had any further concerns. She visited hospital again later that afternoon complaining of a headache and was sent home again to return later that day for a planned induction of labour. 

Ilona went back to hospital at about 10.30pm on 13 February for her planned induction of labour. Her blood pressure was still found to be high. 

Ilona underwent a caesarean section at around 5.35pm on 14 February. Antony was born in a good condition. Following treatment for her obstetric bleed, Ilona was taken to a recovery ward.

After a CT scan showed Ilona had suffered a bleed on the brain, she was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in the early hours of 15 February. She died 10 days later.

Husband Rafal's tribute to beautiful wife as he reveals hope for answers

Rafal, a construction worker, who has had to give up work to care for Antony, said: “Ilona and I met on separate holidays in Egypt in 2016 and we hit it off straight away. She was beautiful, fun and intelligent. Everything just seemed to click.

“Ilona was a very loving person. She enjoyed caring for people and found joy in the simplest of things. She was artistic and used to enjoy gardening. She loved flowers, painting and designing things and took pride in our home. 

“We’d been trying for a baby for around five years and were overjoyed when Ilona fell pregnant. Her pregnancy seemed to go smoothly. We were so excited to be welcoming Antony and starting a new chapter in our lives. I still struggle to come to terms with how she went into hospital to give birth and never came home. 

“Ilona would have been an amazing mum and one of the hardest things to try and come to terms with is how she never got to hold Antony and that she will not see him grow up.  

“It’s almost impossible to find the words to express how traumatic Ilona’s death has been and the impact it’s had on our family. Ilona meant the world to me, and she also leaves behind an endless list of family and friends all of whom, are devastated by her death. 

“Ilona was a beautiful soul, there was no bad in her, just a kind and caring person. 

“While more than two years have passed, the devastation of losing Ilona - especially in the way we did, hasn’t eased. Our family will never be the same again and having so many unanswered questions adds to the hurt and pain I live with daily.

“I know the inquest and listening to the evidence is going to be upsetting but it’s something I need to do, to gain a better understanding of the events that led to her death.”
 
An inquest into Ilona’s death is due to start at Lawrence Court in Huntingdon on 17 November and is expected to last up to five days.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in helping to establish answers regarding medical care at our dedicated medical negligence section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.