Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term for neurological conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. According to the NHS, there is an estimate that 1 in 400 live births in the United Kingdom are affected by Cerebral Palsy.
As well as the motor disabilities (disabilities with movements), other associated problems with cerebral palsy include sensory impairments, epilepsy, behavioural challenges and learning difficulties. No two cases are the same and they include other problems with varying degrees of severity.
It is a condition that can arise if the brain does not develop normally or if the brain is damaged before, during or immediately after birth. About 2% of cerebral palsy cases can be due to genetic factors but it is important to discover whether brain damage can be connected to negligence on the part of the medical team.
Causes of brain damage and injury due to Medical Negligence can include:
- Failure to identify early signs of problems with the pregnancy during antenatal care.
- Prolonged duration of labour. This could lead to leaving the baby in the birth canal for too long, causing oxygen deprivation which results in cerebral palsy.
- Excessive force when pulling a baby during delivery.
- Failure to identify when the umbilical cord is wrapped around a baby’s neck. This gives rise to hypoxia (oxygen starvation) and eventually cerebral palsy.
- The inappropriate use of forceps and vacuum suction extraction.
- Failure to adequately measure and monitor foetal heart rate to identify early signs of foetal distress.
If your child has cerebral palsy, we are here for you and are committed to analysing the issues and, where appropriate, obtaining expert opinion in relation to the cause of the injury to your child. With the ever increasing costs associated with raising a child with cerebral palsy, due to the intensive therapy and extended medical care required, compensation will make a very real difference to your child’s care and development.
At Swain & Co we have the best interests of you and your child at heart, and we will ensure that we seek to recover the best compensation which can be used towards your child’s care, treatment and rehabilitation.
For more information on getting started with the process, contact one of our dedicated medical negligence solicitors today on 02392 483322.