Birth Injuries and Why It's Important to Consult with a Medical Negligence Solicitor
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iscover the critical steps to take if your child suffers a birth injury due to medical negligence. Learn about common birth injuries, their long-term effects, and why consulting an experienced solicitor is essential for securing the compensation you deserve. Don't navigate this challenging journey alone—find out how legal support can help you advocate for your child's future.
Childbirth is meant to be a joyous occasion, but tragically, errors during labour and delivery can cause devastating and lifelong injuries to the baby. Sadly, one in three women feel giving birth was traumatic for them.
Birth injuries, often the result of medical negligence, can have profound physical, cognitive, and emotional effects on the child and family, and 4-5% of mothers go on to develop PTSD after a traumatic birth.
Common Birth Injuries
- Some common causes of birth injuries include:
- Errors during delivery such as improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Failure to properly monitor the baby during labour
- Not performing a caesarean section when necessary
- Administering inappropriate drugs or incorrect dosages to the mother
- Delayed response to foetal distress
- Improper management of contractions or the baby's positioning
The most common birth injuries are brachial plexus injuries, which affect the nerves between the neck and shoulder, and can cause paralysis of the arm. Other injuries include broken bones, brain damage, cerebral palsy, and a range of neurological conditions.
The impacts of these injuries are wide-ranging. Physical disabilities, cognitive delays, epilepsy, incontinence, and vision or hearing loss can all result from birth trauma. The emotional toll on both child and parents is also immense.
Caring for a child with special needs adds financial stress to families as well.
Why Legal Help is Crucial
When a birth injury occurs due to medical negligence, getting help from an experienced medical negligence solicitor is essential. They can investigate what went wrong and determine if you have a valid claim for compensation. This compensation can provide crucial funds for your child's lifelong care.
Building a Strong Case
A solicitor can help you with building a strong case.
Gathering medical evidence and records to build a strong case is essential. This includes the mother's prenatal records, birth records for both mother and child, neonatal care notes, and ongoing paediatric records that document the child's injuries and needs.
Having a complete set of medical records allows the solicitor to establish a timeline of events, accurately determine when and how injuries occurred, prove negligence, and assess the full scope of the child's injuries and prognosis. Thorough records make for a compelling and strong case, which means you are more likely to receive the settlement you deserve.
They also help with the following:
- Valuing the claim and getting the maximum compensation warranted
- Negotiating with the negligent party's insurers
- Navigating the litigation process smoothly
- Getting justice and holding negligent parties accountable
- Allowing you to focus on caring for your child while they handle the legal process
Thanks to 'no win, no fee' agreements, consulting a solicitor will not add financial stress. You pay nothing upfront, and the solicitor only collects a percentage of the compensation if successful. This makes obtaining justice and compensation accessible.
Every parent deserves accountability and compensation if errors during childbirth caused preventable injury. With a solicitor's expert help, families can get the lifelong support they need after a heartbreaking birth injury. Don't struggle alone - a medical negligence solicitor can make a tremendous difference in getting your child the care they deserve.
✔️ Birth Injuries and Why It's Important to Consult with a Medical Negligence Solicitor
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