Medical negligence during the neonatal period

  • If your child has suffered an injury as a result of medical care and treatment after birth and you think this may have been caused by the negligence of your healthcare provider, you may be able to claim for compensation.
  • If you are eligible, we will recover the best settlement for your child. In addition, we will ensure your child’s healthcare and welfare is a priority.

The neonatal period refers to a newborn baby for the first 28 days after its birth and is an extremely important stage of life.

Some conditions can be treated if they are picked up within the neonatal period. However, if left unnoticed or untreated some conditions can cause severe disability and, in extreme cases, the death of a newborn child.

If your child has suffered an injury as a result of medical care and treatment after birth and you think this may have been caused by the negligence of your healthcare provider, you may be able to claim for compensation.

A neonatal condition can range from breathing difficulties to jaundice and can be extremely serious. In order to ensure your child receives the necessary treatment to minimise any resulting damage that could affect the rest of their life, birth injuries need to be detected during the neonatal period.

There are five main types of birth injury that can occur to a child during the birthing process and neonatal period. These include:

  • Cerebral Palsy, a condition affecting the part of the brain that controls movement.
  • Erb’s Palsy, weakness or paralysation of a newborn baby’s arm.
  • Hypoglycaemia, low blood sugar levels at birth which can result in brain damage.
  • Hip Dysplasia, where the leg becomes dislocated from the pelvis.
  • Hyperbilirubinanarmia and Kernictrus, as a result of jaundice which has been untreated or inadequately treated which can lead to cerebral palsy.

How Moore Barlow can help

We recognise the very real difficulties that exist in caring for an injured child. Not least difficulties accessing ongoing medical treatment, care and support, education, therapy, assistance and equipment. In cases where liability is resolved, we will always seek interim payments at an early stage to ensure access to such treatment, support and assistance.

Our education specialists and community care team are also here to advise and provide support in securing all requisite NHS and Local Authority care and support during the continuance of your claim.

We are also able to offer our clients in an appropriate case a specialist ‘immediate needs assessment’ service. Our aim is to help ensure your child’s healthcare and welfare is attended to by obtaining interim payments of compensation during the continuance of any claim wherever possible to assist you with you and your child’s:

  • Rehabilitation
  • Education needs
  • Transport
  • Housing
  • Aids and equipment
  • Care support
  • Therapeutic services
  • Case management

Many people who suffer as a result of a neonatal condition require some support for the rest of their lives. We have a wide range of contacts with organisations that can assist you and can work closely with you and your family including:

  • Case managers who will assess and organise any support and care your child may need.
  • Support workers who will visit your child on a regular basis to provide you support and help.
  • Community rehabilitation such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
  • Charities or support groups.

Our aim at Moore Barlow is not only to recover for your child the best settlement in relation to your medical negligence litigation but to ensure your child’s healthcare and welfare is a priority.

If you think your child may have suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence, you should contact a solicitor as soon as possible. The sooner we can commence work on your claim the sooner we can begin to assist you and your child. We can also advise you on your benefit rights and also advise on dealing with debts which might arise due to being off work caring for your child.

Our specialist community care team can also advise on rights to NHS care and support and access to social care during the continuance of your claim. If you believe that you or someone you know has suffered as a result of medical negligence please contact Anne Cassidy.

We have offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Lymington, Woking and Guildford. We deal with clients throughout the country and we will visit you at your home, hospital or rehabilitation unit.