Mum And Dad Hope For Answers At Inquest After Instructing Specialist Medical Negligence Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell

The parents of a baby, who died at just six-days-old following complications in childbirth, are hoping an inquest will provide much-needed answers in relation to his death. 

Roman Ling suffered brain damage when he became distressed, stuck and was deprived of oxygen at the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby on 10 July, 2016.

Medics, who had to perform an emergency caesarean, resuscitated Roman before he was taken to intensive care. He was later transferred to Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital for specialist treatment.

However, he died on 16 July, 2016, after his parents Carl Ling and Kirsty Emptage, of Grimsby, agreed to the removal of Roman’s breathing tube to see if their son was able to breath by himself. The couple, aged 32 and 33 respectively had decided, after medical advice, that if Roman was unable to breathe they would not ask for the tube to be replaced.

Carl and Kirsty have instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the level of care Roman received during his birth amid concerns over a possible delay in performing a caesarean section.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust runs the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital.

Kirsty and Carl said: “We find it difficult living every day not knowing why Roman died. We feel as though we cannot move on without closure.

“Our lives have been shattered by Roman’s death. We wish to find out why Roman died and whether this was the result of wrongdoing by hospital staff.

“We also hope lessons can be learnt from Roman’s death and that no family has to experience the pain that we continue to endure.”

Sinead Hayes, is a specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family.

Expert Opinion

“Roman’s death has left a huge hole in the lives of Carl, Kirsty, and the wider family.

“While nothing can change what has happened to Roman, we hope the inquest into his death will shed some light on the standard of care he received.

“It is incredibly important that if anything could have been done to prevent Roman’s death, those involved in his care learn from it so that no one else suffers as he did and that no parent suffers the same loss as Carl and Kirsty continue to feel.” Sinead Rollinson-Hayes - Associate Solicitor

An inquest into Roman’s death is due to take place on 22 and 23 November at Cleethorpes Town Hall.

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