Imagine a world where a simple act like walking, talking, or even holding a cup becomes a daily challenge. This is the reality for many individuals living with cerebral palsy, a lifelong condition affecting movement, muscle coordination, and posture.
While the exact cause of cerebral palsy in every case can be difficult to point, a significant portion is attributed to birth injuries. If you or a loved one is living with cerebral palsy and believe negligence during birth contributed to the condition, understanding your options for cerebral palsy claims in the UK is crucial.
This article aims to be your friendly guide, navigating the complexities of cerebral palsy claims in the UK. Here, we’ll explore the basics of the condition, delve into the legal landscape, and offer valuable resources to help you make informed decisions.
Unravelling the Mystery: Understanding Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a complex condition that affects the developing brain. It can manifest in various ways, impacting muscle tone, movement, speech, and balance. The severity of cerebral palsy varies significantly from person to person, making each individual’s experience unique as per scope .
Cerebral palsy affects around one in every 400 children in the UK. This means that around 1,800 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy every year. (source: Scope)
Here are some of the common causes of cerebral palsy:
Brain injury during birth:
This can occur due to oxygen deprivation, infections, or complications during delivery.
Brain development problems before birth:
This can be caused by genetic factors, infections during pregnancy, or exposure to harmful substances.
It’s crucial to remember that cerebral palsy itself isn’t contagious and doesn’t worsen over time. However, the impact it has on individuals can be lifelong, requiring ongoing care and support.
Receive a Call About Your Claim
A Fork in the Road: Birth Injury and Potential Causes of Cerebral Palsy
While the causes of cerebral palsy can be complex, birth injuries are a contributing factor in a significant number of cases.
What could be the Potential Causes of Cerebral Palsy?
- Oxygen deprivation: Prolonged lack of oxygen during birth can damage brain cells, leading to cerebral palsy.
- Forceps or vacuum extraction injuries: Improper use of these instruments during delivery can cause trauma to the baby’s head, potentially contributing to cerebral palsy.
- Delayed delivery: Failure to deliver the baby in a timely manner, especially in cases of distress, can increase the risk of cerebral palsy.
It’s important to note that not every birth injury results in cerebral palsy. However, if you suspect negligence during childbirth might have played a role in your child’s condition, seeking legal advice can help you understand your options.
Cerebral Palsy Claims and the UK Legal System
If you believe negligence during birth contributed to your child’s cerebral palsy, pursuing a cerebral palsy claim in the UK might be a possibility. Here’s what you need to know:
- Establishing negligence: To have a successful claim, you’ll need to demonstrate that medical professionals involved in the birth breached their duty of care, meaning they failed to meet the expected standard of care during the delivery process.
- Evidence gathering: Medical records documenting the birth, expert opinions, and witness statements can be crucial evidence in supporting your claim.
- Time limits: There are strict time limits for bringing cerebral palsy claims in the UK. If you’re considering a claim, it’s crucial to seek legal advice promptly.
The Road to Compensation: What Can You Claim For?
If your cerebral palsy claim is successful, you might be entitled to various types of compensation:
Medical expenses:
This helps cover the costs associated with treating cerebral palsy, including therapy, equipment, and medication.
Loss of earnings:
If the individual with cerebral palsy is unable to work due to their condition, compensation can help address lost income.
Care costs:
This covers the cost of any ongoing care needs arising from cerebral palsy, such as personal assistance or specialized care facilities.
Pain and suffering:
This acknowledges the physical and emotional challenges associated with living with cerebral palsy.
The specific amount of compensation awarded depends on the severity of the individual’s cerebral palsy and the demonstrable impact on their life.
Making a Personal Injury Claim With National Claims
How We Can Help
At National Claims, we understand the profound impact cerebral palsy can have on individuals and families. Our team of personal injury Claims agents is dedicated to supporting families affected by birth injuries. We specialise in helping victims of accidents navigate the claims process and secure the compensation they deserve. we will connect you with solicitors from our panel who will be able to assess your case .
Free Consultation
Our process begins with a free consultation to understand the details of your case. We’ll listen to your story and assess the circumstances surrounding the accident. This initial step allows us to provide you with valuable insights and advice on the viability of your claim.
No Win, No Fee
At National Claims, we believe that everyone should have access to justice. That’s why we offer a “No Win, No Fee” arrangement, meaning you don’t have to worry about upfront legal fees. With us you can pursue your case with confidence, knowing that we’re invested in your success.
*Customers pay up to 25% (incl. VAT) of the amount recovered towards solicitor costs and if you cancel outside your cooling off period, you may be charged a fee.
Compassionate Support
We understand that a road traffic accident can be a traumatic experience. Our team provides compassionate support throughout the claims process. We’re here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the emotional support you may need during this challenging time.
Conclusion
Cerebral palsy claims in the UK are a complex area of law, and navigating them can feel overwhelming. However, understanding your rights and potential options is crucial. While legal action cannot change the diagnosis of cerebral palsy, securing compensation can provide much-needed financial support and resources to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families living with this condition.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. By seeking guidance and exploring your options, you can take the first step towards securing the resources and support needed to create a brighter future for yourself or your loved one our team is here to connect you with a solicitor from our panel who will be able to assess your case.
Contact us today to speak to one of our claims agents who will be able to help you get started on your claim.
Click below to see why we are one of the most trusted claims management companies in the UK.
We’re proud of our excellent customer reviews
We thrive on delivering exceptional service and ensuring our clients’ satisfaction. Don’t just take our word for it. Check out some of our independent reviews to see what our clients have to say.
Excellent
This firm is excellent, they sorted out my car pay out and injury claim very fast, they always communicate with you all the time.
My accident case was dealt with confidence and with great result of the outcome, especially James kept me informed all the time.
I was very impressed at the way my inquiry was treated. I was listened to attentively and everything I needed to know was explained to me.
