Birth Injury Claims
The birth of your child is an exciting, but also often a worrying time. During birth, injuries can be caused to the mother, the child or to both. In many cases, injuries to the child are lifelong.
“We are so grateful to David, who supported us through an extremely difficult and emotional time following the birth of our son. Whilst we remain angry that what happened to him was so preventable, at least the financial security means that his long term care is guaranteed.” Mrs D, August 2018
Types of Birth Injury
Some birth injuries are unavoidable. However, a proportion are caused by the negligence of one or more of the professionals involved. Birth injuries can include:
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy, which is caused by oxygen starvation during birth, is a term encompassing a group of non-progressive, permanent, motor conditions that can cause intellectual impairment and/or physical disability, principally in the various areas of body movement.
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s Palsy or Shoulder Dystocia (stuck shoulders) is a condition that can be readily identified during labour. The condition occurs when the baby’s head has been delivered but the shoulders are too large and are impacted on the mother’s pelvis. Once identified, unless the correct steps are taken, injury can be caused to the baby’s neck resulting in damage to the brachial plexus nerves (which control the muscles in the shoulder, arm or hand), causing paralysis. This can leave the baby with:
- a lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand;
- a paralysed arm, lack of muscle control in the arm, hand or wrist;
- a limp.
Other types of birth injury
Other types of birth injury include:
- damage to the baby caused by tools used during an assisted delivery (e.g. forceps);
- umbilical cord problems;
- ruptured placentas.
Birth injuries to the mother
During birth, mothers can suffer a variety of injuries, some of which are very preventable. These include
- vaginal tears;
- fissures;
- incorrect suturing following an episiotomy or a caesarean section;
- failure to manage pre-eclampsia;
- infections.
“We were very worried about taking this action but you were so reassuring and full of confidence. Thank you so much for everything you’ve achieved for us.” DH, February 2018
Specialist Birth Injury Lawyer
If you or your child is affected by a birth injury, it is crucial that the maximum award possible is recovered. This is particularly important in the case of a child in order to ensure their long-term financial security.
Birth injury claims are invariably complex in relation to both the medical and legal issues involved. That is why you should always turn to a highly experienced medical negligence solicitor such as David Gazzard.
With over 25 years’ experience, David has the expertise to ensure that you receive the highest award possible to provide for accommodation, rehabilitation, therapies, education, care and support.
“I would recommend to everyone the excellent David Gazzard who is absolutely first rate. Although he is clearly a popular choice he always made me feel I was his only client.” Mrs H, July 2017
Contact
Should you wish to discuss any of these issues, our Head of Medical Negligence, David Gazzard, will be delighted to speak with you informally and in complete confidence. You may call him on 01793 615011 or email him at david.gazzard@blbsolicitors.co.uk
