Cerebral Palsy Claims
If your child has Cerebral Palsy (CP) as a result of medical negligence during their birth, you may be entitled to claim for compensation. You will need to plan carefully for your child’s care at all stages of their life and compensation can help you get the care and rehabilitation that they need.
The claims process can be distressing but we have experienced specialists who will make the process as clear and simple as possible and fight hard on your behalf to secure the right level of compensation.
Our specialist team provides expert legal advice in different languages to clients who have been involved in medical negligence claims, including cerebral palsy claims. They operate on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning that you won’t pay any fees unless your case is successful.
How is Cerebral Palsy caused?
Most people associate CP with a loss of oxygen during birth. In reality though, it is much more complex than that. Around 90% of cases develop before birth (known as Congenital Cerebral Palsy) which is generally harder to avoid and therefore less likely to result in a medical negligence claim.
Some cases also occur after the baby is born, with conditions such as jaundice or kernicterus contributing to the development of CP. These cases might also result in negligence claims if steps weren’t taken to avoid conditions known to have a link with CP.
Because no two births are the same, and they can become complicated most medical negligence claims for CP relate to the birth, and loss of oxygen is indeed a key factor in those cases. This could be caused by:
- Delaying the decision to deliver by Caesarean (or failing to do so at all)
- Not monitoring the baby’s heartbeat closely enough
- Missing warning signs such as the umbilical cord wrapping around the neck
- Incorrectly using medication to speed up delivery
- Overlooking low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia)
If your child has Cerebral Palsy and you feel that this was avoidable, or that medical negligence has contributed in any way, we advise you to contact us for legal advice. We can help you establish the full facts and determine whether or not you may have grounds for a compensation claim.
How much compensation might I receive for medical negligence leading to Cerebral Palsy?
The amount of compensation you receive very much depends on your specific circumstances. That’s why we recommend that you get in touch with us promptly so that we can discuss the details of your claim with you.
You may be able to claim for the following if they are a direct result of your injuries:
- Compensation for distress and upheaval
- Loss of earnings and financial losses incurred
- Costs for specialist education and rehabilitation
- Adaptations to your home or vehicle
- Travel expenses incurred
We can help you assess your future needs and work with you to agree the level of compensation that you may be entitled to as a result of medical negligence.
Do I have a valid claim for compensation?
If you can answer yes to all three of the following questions, we recommend that you contact us to discuss your circumstances further:
- Was the incident within the last three years?
- Was someone else to blame for the incident?
- Were you injured as a result of the incident?
Answering ‘yes’ to all three doesn’t mean that a successful claim is certain. However, these questions are key to the claims process. Answering yes to all three does indicate that you have a greater chance of being entitled to claim. Getting prompt, specialist legal advice could be beneficial.
Because of the three-year time limit, it’s important that you contact us promptly so that we can start the process for you.
How do I begin a compensation claim for cerebral palsy?
Call us on 0208 1111 911 or contact us through the website and we’ll discuss your circumstances with you. The first call typically takes about 15 minutes and in that time we can usually determine whether or not it’s realistic to pursue a claim for compensation.
