Birth injuries caused by medical negligence have a profound impact on mothers, babies, the NHS, and society as a whole. As specialist birth injury compensation solicitors, our focus is on securing the rehabilitation care, and financial compensation families need to move forward.
According to NHS Resolution, the body responsible for handling NHS claims, payments for clinical negligence in England rose by 9.5% in 2022/23 to almost £2.7 billion, with maternity negligence accounting for a significant proportion of this cost. These figures highlight the seriousness and prevalence of birth injury claims.
A birth injury is an injury sustained by a mother and/or baby before, during, or shortly after labour and delivery. While most births result in excellent care, avoidable errors can cause life-changing harm.
Mothers may suffer a range of injuries, including:
Babies can also suffer serious injuries, such as:
When injuries are caused by negligent maternity care, they can result in long-term physical, psychological, and financial consequences.
One of the most common birth injuries in infants is brachial plexus birth injury. This occurs when the network of nerves controlling the shoulder, arm, and hand is stretched or damaged during delivery – often due to excessive force applied to the baby’s head and neck.
Brachial plexus injuries frequently occur in cases of shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head has been delivered. Improper management of shoulder dystocia can significantly increase the risk of permanent injury.
While many infants recover fully, research published in 2023 found that approximately 30% of children with brachial plexus birth injuries suffer permanent paralysis. Secondary complications may include:
A specialist birth injury compensation solicitor will ensure that appropriate medical experts are instructed so the court can fully assess long-term prognosis and award accurate compensation.
For mothers, perineal tears are among the most common birth injuries and vary in severity.
Failure to correctly identify or repair third and fourth degree tears can have devastating consequences, affecting a woman’s physical health, sexual wellbeing, and mental health.
A birth injury solicitor will investigate risk factors, failures in care, and the long term impact of the injury, supported by expert medical evidence.
Birth injuries often coincide with birth trauma. On 9th January 2024, a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) was launched to investigate birth trauma in the UK.
The inquiry aims to:
Evidence is expected to be heard between February and March 2024, with findings published in April 2024.
Childbirth should be remembered as a joyful and safe experience. When a birth injury or traumatic birth occurs, families can face years of pain, uncertainty, and ongoing medical treatment.
If you or your baby have suffered a birth injury, it is vital to contact a birth injury solicitor as soon as possible. Around 80% of clinical negligence claims settle out of court, meaning most cases are resolved without the stress of a trial.
Early legal advice helps ensure:
Our team has decades of combined experience representing families in medical negligence and birth injury claims. We are compassionate, understanding, and committed to securing the support and compensation you need to move forward.
If you believe medical negligence caused a birth injury, contact us today to discuss your situation. We offer a free, no obligation consultation and are available by phone or email to help you take the next step.
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