Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth usually bring people into contact with medical professionals for the happiest of reasons, and most babies are born without serious complications.

Some birth injuries are unavoidable. However, sometimes birth injuries can be attributed to errors or omissions by doctors or other hospital staff.

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Birth injury and trauma claims

When complications do arise resulting in a birth injury to the mother or the baby, the experience of childbirth can often turn into a traumatic and devastating event with far reaching consequences.

For example, one particular condition that may be the result of negligent medical treatment at birth is Cerebral Palsy. It is estimated that cerebral palsy affects 1 in every 500 babies born in the UK (data from Health UK). Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by a baby being starved of oxygen antenatally or during labour and results in varying degrees of damage to the brain. This is a lifelong condition which alters the lives of the whole family as well as the victim. Cerebral palsy is not always caused by negligent care but in some cases it is avoidable.

Negligent medical treatment relating to expectant mothers includes:

Perineal tears
Failure to manage diabetes/other pre-existing medical conditions
Failure to manage pre-eclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension
Retained swabs
Vesico vaginal fistulas
Retained products of conception
Failure to diagnose/manage ectopic pregnancy
Failure to warn parents of specific disabilities
Failed sterilisation
Failed vasectomy
Failed termination of pregnancy

Complications during childbirth can include/arise out of:

Cerebral palsy/brain damage
Erb’s palsy (injury to the arm nerves) after shoulder dystocia
Failing to perform an emergency caesarean section when indicated
Failing to diagnose a breech birth
Stillbirth
Neonatal death
Rhesus incompatibility
Placental abruption

Birth injuries involve complex legal and medical issues. It is important to consult with a specialist clinical negligence solicitor and obtain the best advice and guidance from the outset. Our specialist team of clinical negligence solicitors includes a dual qualified doctor/solicitor. We can offer you professional and confidential advice at what is a very stressful and emotional time for the whole family.

Do you have a potential medical negligence claim?

Please contact us for advice if you feel you have suffered any form of negligent medical or dental treatment. We have a specialist team of medical negligence solicitors who are always happy to help.

If you would like advice on whether you have a potential clinical negligence claim or assistance with drafting a Letter of Complaint, please contact us. Please note that there are legal time limits in place for starting a claim for compensation, and our specialist clinical negligence solicitors will be able to advise you specifically on the facts of your own case.

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Pregnancy & Childbirth

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Birth injury and trauma claims

Negligent medical treatment relating to expectant mothers includes:

Complications during childbirth can include/arise out of:

Do you have a potential medical negligence claim?

Medical Negligence case studies

Key contacts

Megan Wilson

Liz Fry

Linda Schermer-Jones

Kerry Goulden

Emma Williams

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