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Birth Injury And Medical Negligence

Many parents worry during a pregnancy whether a birth injury will occur.

Some wonder what birth injuries are.

Basically, incompetent doctors or physicians or other medical personnel through medical negligence can cause such an injury.

Sadly, almost seven out of every one thousand babies born in the UK today will suffer from a birth injury.

birth injury and claiming compensation in the uk

Sometimes it is not just your baby alone that suffers. Mothers can also be harmed.

The health of both you and your baby are important and keeping abreast of what injuries are possible is essential when you think about your forthcoming delivery day.

Injuries that mothers can face can be anything from vaginal tearing to scarring and other injuries due to the misuse of forceps, fissures, and incorrect suturing after an episiotomy.

A baby may suffer cerebral palsy, facial palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and even umbilical cord complications.

Ruptured placentas, skin irritations, bone fractures, eye damage, and even brain trauma are all examples of a birth injury.

It is important for parents to discuss the possibility of birth injuries with their obstetrician to ensure the delivery will be safe.

Every topic should be covered and questions by the parents should be fully understood and explained by the doctor.

A birth injury can also be caused by a doctor’s incorrect diagnosis that leads to an unneeded caesarean birth.

Sometimes, however, birth injuries still occur. When this happens, in some cases, it is due to the negligence of the deliverer, whether it is a doctor or midwife.

In these cases you can request information on the exact steps taken during the delivery to see if the deliverer is accountable for the injury.

If they are, you do have options.

You don’t have to feel like doctors, nurses or hospital have the right to deny you a clear understanding of what went wrong and who did what during your delivery.

birth injury and claiming compensation in the uk

Seeking compensation is something parents don’t like to think about. After all, no parent anticipates such an awful event but when they happen, parents should not be afraid to find out why it happened and get help on determining whether they are entitled to compensation.

In the UK, all medical malpractice, including birth injuries, falls under the category of what is called “professional negligence.” Professional negligence was put into place so that if a birth injury occurs, parents have avenues for help.

To get help, you can contact experts on birth injuries who are sensitive to what you have endured.

If you have reason to believe that professional negligence was the reason for any injury at birth, whether it’s to the mother or baby, experts can ask the right questions and get answers to find out for you.

Many solicitors and other experts offer what is called a no-win, no fee policy where if your claim is not successful and you don’t receive any compensation, you don’t have to pay the solicitor who is representing you.

If you feel you or your baby may have suffered from medical negligence it is best not to try to find out on your own.

Talk to experts and discuss your suspicions; they are better equipped to get to the source of your questions.

While this situation may require you to hire a solicitor, and even if you feel that you shouldn’t start up a fuss, think about what might happen to another mother or baby if incorrect and inefficient doctors and procedures continue to be used in damaging ways.

If you think you or your family have suffered from medical negligence, do what is best and talk to a legal expert.