Understanding Birth Injury Claims
Experiencing the birth of a child should be a joyful and memorable event. However, when medical negligence results in injury, it can be incredibly traumatic for both the baby and the family. Birth injury claims are legal cases brought forward when a baby has been harmed during birth due to the negligence of the NHS or a private medical practitioner.
Such injuries can have a profound and lasting impact, often requiring lifelong care and treatment. We know that this is a devastating experience, and the emotional and physical toll can be overwhelming.
Birth injuries that can lead to birth injury claims include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Brachial plexus injuries
- Erb’s palsy
- Stillbirths
These heartbreaking conditions can result from various failures, such as:
- Not delivering the baby early enough during labor or by caesarean section
- Failing to monitor the baby’s heart rate
- Not responding to an umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck
- Incorrect delivery techniques
- Failing to provide the baby with sufficient oxygen during birth
We understand how daunting and complex the process of making a birth injury claim can be. Our team is here to support you with compassion and expertise. We have a wealth of experience in healthcare and legal matters, and we are dedicated to guiding you through this difficult time.
Our primary aim is to secure the compensation necessary to address the pain and suffering your child has endured and to ensure that their future care and rehabilitation needs are met. We believe that you and your child deserve justice and the best possible support.
If your family has been affected by a birth injury, please reach out to us. We are here to listen, to help, and to fight for the justice and compensation your child deserves.
Brain Damage and Cerebral Palsy in Birth Injury Claims
The birth of a child is a deeply significant event, and when complications arise, it can be incredibly distressing for families. Birth injury claims often involve cases where brain damage at birth has occurred, leading to conditions such as cerebral palsy.
Brain damage at birth happens when cells in the baby’s brain are damaged or destroyed. This can result from various causes, including lack of oxygen, infection, and congenital defects. Such damage can lead to permanent physical and mental disabilities as the child grows.
Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of debilitating, long-lasting motor conditions that cause physical disability, primarily affecting movement and muscle control. This condition is caused by brain damage, often linked to complications during birth, such as insufficient oxygen supply to the baby during labor.
Several factors can contribute to these tragic outcomes, including:
- Delayed delivery of the baby
- Failure to identify placental rupture or issues with the umbilical cord during pregnancy and at birth
- Premature births
- Infection
- Dangerously low blood sugar in the mother and baby
- Delayed diagnosis or treatment of serious medical conditions in the mother, leading to fetal distress
If you believe your child’s brain damage or cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, please reach out to us. We are here to listen, to help, and to fight for the justice and support your family needs.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
Bringing a child into the world should be a time of joy and celebration. However, when medical negligence results in injuries, it can be a traumatic experience for families. Birth injury claims often involve cases of brachial plexus injuries, also known as Erb’s Palsy.
Brachial plexus injury occurs when the brachial plexus nerves, which run between the spine, neck, and arms, are damaged due to severe trauma. This type of injury can lead to permanent disabilities, including loss of movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. The heartbreaking reality is that many brachial plexus injuries in babies could be avoided with proper safety precautions.
In the context of birth, brachial plexus injuries can be caused by several factors, including:
- The doctor or midwife pulling the baby too hard during delivery
- Failure to schedule a c-section for larger infants
- Incorrect use of birth-assisting tools
- Failure to use appropriate maneuvers during delivery
Stillbirths
Experiencing the loss of a baby through stillbirth is an unimaginable tragedy for any mother and family. Birth injury claims often address the devastating impact of such events, particularly when they result from medical negligence.
A stillbirth is classified as a baby not born alive after the 24th week of pregnancy. The emotional and physical toll on a mother and family can be profound and long-lasting.
There are many potential causes of stillbirth, including:
- Problems with the placenta
- Birth defects
- Infections – both maternal and in the baby
- The mother’s health
While not all stillbirths can be prevented, medical professionals have a duty to properly monitor pregnancies and identify issues early on to allow for appropriate treatment. Failure to do so can be considered a breach of duty, leading to avoidable tragedies.
If you have experienced below-standard care from your doctor, physician, or another medical expert during pregnancy or childbirth, resulting in physical or psychological harm, your child may be entitled to compensation due to this negligent care.
We understand how difficult and emotional this situation can be, and we have extensive experience in handling these types of claims. Discuss the potential of your birth injury claim with a supportive legal expert today. We are here to help you seek medical negligence compensation and ensure you receive the necessary support every step of the way.
