The case is understood to be one of the largest settlements of its kind and follows concerns about exposure levels in maternity settings. The midwives and maternity staff at Basildon hospital were exposed to dangerous levels of nitrous oxide – the main component of Entonox – between 2021 and 2023. Investigations revealed that the exposure was linked to poor ventilation and leaking gas lines and equipment within the maternity unit.

Many of those affected reported symptoms including fatigue, headaches and brain fog.

"No one should go to work and be made ill simply by doing their job. We're proud to have secured compensation for our clients and a full admission of liability – but none of them should ever have been put in this position.

Monitoring exposure levels should be routine in maternity settings. When warning signs are there, employers need to act – and act fast. If they fail to protect their workforce, they can expect unions to stand up for their members and Thompsons to hold them legally to account." - Dan Poet, Partner and Disease specialist at Thompsons Solicitors.

The midwives’ claims were brought with the support of the Royal College of Midwives, highlighting the vital role unions play in standing up for workers when safety concerns arise.

This case reflects Thompsons’ long-standing commitment to representing workers and holding employers accountable when workplace safety fails. Working closely with unions, we continue to fight for justice for workers who have suffered injury or illness because proper protections were not put in place.