Children’s Medical Negligence
February 5, 2021
When it comes to their children, people are very protective. This means that when cases of children’s medical negligence happen, it is even worse for both the children and the parents, and it can also be life-changing. That is why here at The Medical Negligence Experts we help parents of the children who have unfortunately experienced medical negligence.
Children’s Medical Negligence: Conditions
There are many instances of children’s medical negligence that we deal with here at The Medical Negligence Experts. Some of the more common children’s medical negligence we can help with include birth negligence, cerebral palsy, children’s cancer negligence and negligence that causes life-long conditions.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a condition which affects muscle development and coordination. In the majority of cases, it results from lack of oxygen reaching a baby’s brain while they are still in the womb or during birth. However, it can also result from developmental issues and, in very rare instances, flawed genes. Although symptoms can be eased temporarily with treatments like physiotherapy, there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy and babies who develop Cerebral Palsy will need support and care in one form or other for the rest of their lives.
Some babies are more at risk of Cerebral Palsy. These include:
- Those born to mothers over 40 and under 20 years old;
- Premature babies with low birth weights;
- Aplacental abruption, where the placenta separates before the baby is born and blocks the flow of oxygenated blood;
- Infections transferring from a mother to baby during birth, such as strep B infections;
- Those who have siblings who had difficult births;
- Those with very overweight mothers.
Negligence can occur when these risks don’t receive proper monitoring. Babies should be monitored during labour. This is because any issues can be identified quickly through monitoring. If this is not done properly, then babies may be more at risk of developing the condition. The brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy can happen in utero and during delivery, but it can also happen if conditions such as hypoglycemia, meningitis or jaundice are not detected and treated quickly.
Birth Negligence and Injuries
Birth injuries can affect both the baby and the mother, thus necessitating claims for birth injuries.
Examples of birth issues caused by medical negligence from medical staff can include:
- Damage to organs (e.g.: the bladder) during a Caesarean;
- Cerebral palsy caused by limiting a baby’s oxygen supply;
- Brain damage or even brain injury to the baby;
- Failing to identify, or delayed intervention, when mother or baby is in distress;
- Errors with intervention, such as incorrect use of forceps, and;
- Fracturing a baby’s bones, or causing hip dysplasia.
Birth injuries can happen when medical experts either fail to follow the correct procedures or they carry them out in a substandard or inappropriate manner. It can also refer to a mother receiving a poor standard of care during her pregnancy. The care, in turn, leads to difficulties during labour and birth.
Other Conditions
There are also other conditions that we may be able to help with. These include children’s cancer, and life-long injuries caused by medical negligence. If your child has been a victim of medical negligence, then you may be able to make a claim on their behalf.
How We Can Help with Children’s Medical Negligence
Here at The Medical Negligence Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience in all manner of medical negligence claims. This includes children’s medical negligence. contact us today by filling in our contact form or by calling us on 01614138761 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.