Cerebral palsy and medical negligence claims
Cerebral palsy is a disorder caused by damage to the brain and affects around 1 in every 500 people in the UK. It can vary in severity and have an impact on a number of the body's physical capabilities. People living with cerebral palsy might be affected by one or a combination of several of the following problems: impaired posture and mobility, reduced eyesight, hearing loss, learning difficulties, epilepsy, linguistic difficulties and epilepsy.
It is estimated that 10% of all cases of cerebral palsy are caused during the delivery of a child. While it is not known just how many of these cases occur directly as a result of medical negligence, it is clear from a medical negligence compensation claim statistics that, despite medical advances, negligence is still a factor in the number of children who develop cerebral palsy as a result of a birth injury.
Cerebral palsy sufferers, or the parents of sufferers, commonly claim medical negligence compensation for birth traumas such as lack of oxygen during delivery.
The following is rough breakdown of the kinds of medical negligence associated with compensation claims for cerebral palsy: Misdiagnosis of any seizures during delivery; Not recognizing a prolapsed umbilical cord; Negligence in using delivery forceps; Failure to recognize the need for a c-section; Improper observation of the unborn baby's heart rate; Improper vacuum extraction procedure; Avoidable complications from jaundice or meningitis; Oxygen deprivation caused by too much time in the birth canal; And inadequate care of a mother with high blood pressure
Another 10% of cases of cerebral palsy are believed to develop after birth. These cases could be caused by any one of a number factors such as hydrocephalus, brain haemorrhage, head injury or meningitis. These after-birth causes are less commonly associated with medical negligence compensation claims.
However, the vast majority (80%) of cases of cerebral palsy are believed to have antenatal (pre-birth) causes.
Such antenatal causes may be down to genetic factors, sheer chance or, sometimes, medical negligence. Two of the most common of these causes are: infection of the mother during pregnancy with rubella or toxoplasmosis; or developmental difficulties associated with the formation of the infant brain.
Claiming medical negligence compensation
If you or someone in your family has suffered as a result of substandard or negligent medical care, you may be able to claim medical negligence compensation.
YouClaim's panel of personal injury solicitors contains many of the UK's leading medical negligence claim specialists.
Over the years we have forged a reputation for resolving medical negligence claims speedily, successfully and sensitively and are proud to be governed by the high standards of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
We guarantee that we have absolutely no hidden costs or fees and, as we never take a cut, ensure all our clients receive 100% of the compensation awarded them.
If you wish to investigate your right to medical negligence compensation today, we can be contacted in several ways.
Discuss your claim live on e-chat, ask us to call you back at a convenient time, fill out an online claims form or, alternatively, call us now on 0800 10 757 95.
