Sepsis as a factor in a birth injury compensation claim

Sepsis is among the threats that attend a birth, and the risk of this should be monitored by medical professionals. Failure to do so, particularly when it results in a birth injury, could well result in a medical negligence claim being made against the hospital in question.

Sepsis is the name given to the presence of bacteria or their toxic byproducts getting into the tissues of the body, and the body's immune system being unable to handle this invasion. Newborn children, particularly those who are born prematurely, are likely to have immune systems that are insufficiently developed to fight off infections such as these, and may therefore be vulnerable.

Hospitals are generally aware of this vulnerability. They are also aware that ruling out a diagnosis of sepsis in an infant's illness is difficult, and it should remain a possibility until proven otherwise.

As most hospitals are aware of this, however, any medical professional who dismisses the possibility of sepsis in an infant too easily, or omits to consider it, may find that this could be upheld as evidence of clinical negligence.

The effects of sepsis can extend to Symptoms that may develop in a baby that has contracted sepsis include fever, lethargy, feeding difficulties, an unusual rash or a change in behaviour. These are, of course, symptoms of several conditions. Any parent with medical worries would be best advised to contact their GP.

Making a birth injury claim
We understand that any situation in which someone considers a birth injury claim is a grave one, and we treat all contact in this subject with great sensitivity. If you are in this difficult situation, do contact us, and we will endeavour to help your case come to a satisfactory conclusion with as little additional pain as possible.

All of our personal injury solicitors are drawn from firms governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which means you can rely on our professionalism, and all will work under a 100% compensation promise, meaning that every penny awarded in damages after a successful case - as most of ours are - will go to you to cover your past and future costs.

Our birth injury team is ready to hear from you, and to discuss your case in confidence. You can reach us through our online claim form, our e-chat window, and our free UK phone line, 0800 10 757 95. We will do our utmost to help you.