Call Bell Lax - Medical Negligence Experts on 0121 355 0011
Birth Injuries – The Baby
The birth of a child should be the happiest time in a parent’s life. However, when something goes wrong as a result of mistakes by medical staff the consequences can be devastating.
At Bell Lax we assist families through this emotional time to help them obtain compensation on a “no win, no fee” basis to help support their child with their future needs. This can include the cost of any rehabilitation, medical care or adaptations to the home that are needed to ensure that the child receives the best possible care package to enable them to live as normal a life as possible.
Bell Lax can help you with a wide variety of injuries resulting from negligence and trauma suffered during birth including:
- Cerebral palsy, a neurological condition affecting the child’s movements and coordination due to damage to the brain before, during or following the birth. This can also lead to developmental delay, learning difficulties, swallowing difficulties and speech problems. Cerebral palsy can be caused by bleeding in the baby’s brain or reduced oxygen supply to the brain due to complications during labour as well as infections caught by the mother during pregnancy, meningitis or a serious head injury;
- Erb’s Palsy where the nerves to the baby’s shoulder, arm or hand are damaged during the birth, usually by applying too much force to the baby’s head whilst it is in the birth canal. This leads to weakness or paralysis in the injured shoulder, arm or hand and the baby will usually be unable to lift the affected arm. Whilst Erb’s Palsy can be temporary, in approximately 20% of cases this leads to permanent paralysis due to the severity of damage to the nerves;
- Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, also known as respiratory distress due to meconium passing into the amniotic fluid prior to the birth and entering the baby’s lungs. This can often be as a result of medical professionals failing to act upon signs of foetal distress promptly;
- Fracturing of the baby’s bones during birth;
- Improper usage of birth-assisting tools such as forceps or a ventouse;
- Failures to monitor the baby’s vitals during labour including delays in performing caesarean sections or episiotomies;
- Failures to appropriately diagnose and manage complications with the umbilical cord including umbilical prolapse, umbilical cord compression and umbilical cord knots;
- Failures to administer antibiotics for Group B Streptococcus during labour. This can lead to the new born baby developing a severe infection with potential complications including sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. Unfortunately, a significant number of children who develop these infections will not survive or will develop permanent disabilities including brain damage, blindness or serious learning difficulties; and
- Delay in diagnosis of hip dysplasia meaning that corrective surgery is unsuccessful.
Birth Trauma & Injuries – The Mother
Complications can and do arise during pregnancy and labour, which is why it is important to have a specialist medical team around you to help and guide you through this period. However, unfortunately, sometimes medical professionals do not take sufficient steps to prevent injury to you during this period.
Types of claims that we can assist you with include:
- Failures to conduct and act upon appropriate ante-natal examinations leading to delays in diagnosis of conditions such as pre-eclampsia or placental abruption, where the placenta separates from the lining of the uterus;
- Delay in diagnosis and treatment of uterine rupture potentially leading to severe blood loss, organ damage, hysterectomy or ultimately the death of the mother and child.
- Failures to diagnose and treat gestational diabetes;
- Failures to diagnose and treat maternal infections such as Group B Streptococcus;
- Failures to consider and offer a caesarean section or episiotomy where appropriate;
- Failures to appropriately manage labour leading to third and fourth degree perineal tears;
- Wrongly performed episiotomies and mistakes in suturing tears and episiotomies;
- Errors during caesarean sections including accidentally puncturing an internal organ or usage of incorrect sutures;
- Errors with anaesthetics; and
- Retained swabs or other medical instruments.
If you wish to discuss your concerns regarding the treatment that you or your child has received please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation on 0121 355 0011 to speak to one of our qualified lawyers, we have extensive expertise in birth trauma cases. Saira.walji has significant experience in this area of law.
Our solicitors act on a “no win, no fee” basis meaning that you will not be any worse off regardless of the outcome of your claim. We fund your claim to successful conclusion, including payment of any court fees, and do not ask for any funds from you upfront, or during your claim.
