What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain, leading to a variety of problems, most of which revolve around movement and muscle control. It can be severely debilitating and, depending on the severity of the condition, can require large amounts of money spent on care, equipment and specialist schooling.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and you believe that the condition was caused due to avoidable complications or mistakes made during the birth - officially known as clinical or medical negligence - you could claim compensation.
To find out more call or fill out our online form and we'll call you back.
What causes cerebral palsy and what counts as negligence?
What causes cerebral palsy and what counts as negligence?
Cerebral palsy is most often caused during pregnancy, but sometimes complications with birth can cause the brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy. Examples of these complications include:
- A delay with the delivery of the baby leading to a lack of oxygen in the womb
- Premature or difficult birth
- Infection
- Dangerously low blood sugar levels
- Undiagnosed or late action on new-born jaundice and other liver or kidney problems
- A delay in the diagnosis or treatment of serious medical conditions in the mother, including meningitis
All of these complications may be avoided by medical professionals reading the signs or symptoms, and acting fast to ensure that they're providing the best and safest chance for a healthy baby to be delivered.
If your child developed cerebral palsy because a midwife, doctor or other birthing assistant was negligent, it's likely that you're entitled to medical negligence compensation.
Can you make a cerebral palsy claim for medical negligence?
Can you make a cerebral palsy claim for medical negligence?
Medical negligence claims are both complicated and sensitive. Injuries or illnesses sustained at birth can be difficult to analyse, and sometimes it's not always easy to see who was at fault; whether cerebral palsy was caused by clinical negligence or human error.
The best way to find out if you have a cerebral palsy medical negligence claim is to call us free on now, or fill out our online form so we can call you back. We'll discuss the details of the birth, and our legally-trained advisors will be able to tell you in minutes if your case merits further investigation a specialist solicitor.
Why you should not be afraid to make a cerebral palsy claim
You may be worried that claiming compensation could affect the standard of care other mothers might receive in the future. However, the opposite is true. Your claim will raise awareness of negligent care and help to prevent other patients suffering a similar experience.
You needn't be worried about making a complaint against your GP or hospital staff, because if your claim is successful, the medical staff will not be left out of pocket themselves because the final amount will be paid by the insurance policy for the surgery or the hospital in question.
Why make a claim for cerebral palsy?
Why make a claim for cerebral palsy?
First and foremost, compensation for medical negligence can help provide a better quality of life to somebody who is coping with the disabilities that cerebral palsy can bring.
Depending on the severity of the condition, sufferers could need any or all of the following:
- 24-hour care
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Specialist education
- Specialist medication and treatments
- Various equipment to aid movement, including walking/standing frames
If your child's cerebral palsy is found to have been caused by medical negligence, your compensation could help pay for a lifetime of care towards his or her future. Knowing that the vital professional support and equipment needed to provide a good quality of life are guaranteed can take away some of the emotional, physical and financial strain for those suffering with cerebral palsy, and for their families.
What happens when you make a cerebral palsy claim?
What happens when you make a cerebral palsy claim?
When you speak for free to our advisors, we'll gather the necessary information and evidence in support of your compensation claim as helpfully and sensitively as possible - and there's no time limit on the call either, so you won't be rushed. If we think you have a claim, we will connect you with our experienced solicitors to progress it.
There's no obligation and there's no need to feel anxious about the legal costs of claiming for compensation in cerebral palsy cases. We only work with specialist solicitors who will manage your claim on a No Win No Fee basis, which means you won't be out of pocket.
If you don't win your claim, you don't pay a penny. There's no risk involved when it comes to claiming for the support and security you're legally entitled to, so you can ensure that you and your child get the best standard of care in the future.
To find out more about how no win no fee works, and to connect with one of our specialist medical negligence lawyers, call now.