Brain Injury at Birth Claims

One of the most serious birth injuries a baby can suffer is brain trauma, as it can affect their ability to develop and grow normally. Brain injuries are particularly common during assisted births, and in such cases could be the result of negligence on the part of a doctor or midwife.

If you are concerned that medical staff did not act responsibly during the birth of your child, and you suspect medical negligence may have been directly responsible for your child’s brain injury, contact the experienced team at YouClaim on 0800 10 757 95 or fill in an online claim form and we will get back to you.

What causes brain trauma during birth?

Birth injury brain trauma can be caused by hypoxia and ischemia - decreased oxygen and blood flow to a baby's brain.

They can also be the result of an assisted birth; for example, when ventouse or forceps are used there is a small danger of brain trauma occurring and this can lead to one of a several conditions:

• Caput succedaneum – swelling formed under the presenting part of the scalp of a newborn.
• Cephalohaematoma – bleeding between the skull and the membrane (periosteum) underneath the skin. The collection of blood arises when blood vessels crossing the membrane rupture and then amass in a pocket between the two layers.
• Subgaleal haemorrhage – bleeding into the space between the skull periosteum and the scalp galea aponeurosis.
• Subdural haemorrhage – bleeding into the space between the outer layer (dura) and middle layers of the covering of the brain (the meninges).
• Subarachnoid haemorrhage – bleeding into the subarachnoid area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater which surrounds the brain.
• Epidural haemorrhage – collection of blood between the dura mater (the tough fibrous membrane covering the brain and the spinal cord) and the skull.

Claim compensation for a brain injury at birth

Anything affecting a newborn baby is extremely upsetting for the family involved, but if the baby's brain is affected, most parents want to take immediate action. As well as talking to medical professionals, consider contacting the team of solicitors at YouClaim. We will listen carefully to the details of your case and, if we think you are entitled to make a claim, we'll take you through the claims process and explain how it all works in language you can understand, without legal jargon.

Call us now on 0800 10 757 95 to find out how we can help you make a claim for your child’s brain injury, or complete an online contact form and we will be in touch.