Torticollis in a birth injury compensation claim

Torticollis, also known as wry neck, is a condition in which the neck muscles are involuntarily tightened on one side of the neck, causing the head to tilt one way while the chin points the other. It can result in newborns from a birth injury.

Indications are that the condition is connected with difficult births, as are conditions that appear to be associated, such as plagiocephaly and hip dysplasia. Reasons behind this connection are not understood. Read more about hip dysplasia.

In torticollis, the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle becomes scarred and shortened, sometimes with a non-tender lump, on the side to which the head is tilted.

Treatments for the condition range from physical therapy to a smaller number of cases where surgery is necessary.

It is a rare condition, presented in less than half a percent of newborns, and more common in first children than those that may follow.

A birth that results in a diagnosis of torticollis is not sufficient to make a birth injury claim; it is necessary to show that a degree of clinical negligence has been suffered in that birth. It is possible that torticollis can be an unfortunate but unavoidable side effect of a breech birth.

If, however, the medical professionals attending the birth gave less than full attention, attempted a procedure that they were not sufficiently skilled for, or delayed treatment for bad reasons, a claim may be possible.

Making a compensation claim
Happily, most births in the UK are the happy events that are hoped for, with great professionalism from the medical staff. It is in those rare unfortunate cases where clinical negligence leads to personal injury - to the mother or child - that YouClaim is able to help.

The help we provide is through highly skilled and experienced no win, no fee lawyers, all of whom will be able to manage your compensation claim with sensitivity and expertise. Once you call, our team of advisors will help you decide whether you have a claim to make, and find the right personal injury solicitor for your needs.

Our 100% compensation guarantee means that you are certain to receive all the damages awarded in a successful case, and our insistence on using only legal representation from firms governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority means that you can also rely on the best in industry standards.

You can reach us from this website, both through our claim form and our e-chat service, or you can call on our free phone number, 0800 10 757 95. A specialist will help you begin the process of taking your birth injury claim to the best possible conclusion.