Muscular Injury, Fractures or Cuts To Your Child During Childbirth

Muscular Injury, Fractures or Cuts During Childbirth

Occasionally childbirth can be simple, but commonly babies need some assistance during their arrival into the world. Sometimes a hand to squeeze and some reassuring words can be all that are needed to support the mother, but in more complicated situations there are a range of tools that might be used to help the child’s arrival. Any mistake or slip while using this equipment can have dire consequences for the child.

A ventouse, also called a vacuum extractor, is an instrument that is attached to the baby’s head using suction. During a contraction the obstetrician or midwife will use the vacuum to pull the baby’s head, helping with delivery.

Forceps are like large spoons that can be used to help gain traction when pulling the baby from the womb, but any excessive force can have drastic effects on a tiny baby, causing muscular or spinal issues if they are pulled too hard, or brain and facial injuries if they are gripped too tight.

Not only are babies’ brains at risk of damage during birth, their tiny bodies are vulnerable to all kind of injury and illness during their first, delicate days on earth, and any excess pulling, pushing, knocking or scraping can have huge effects on the baby’s life. Take for example the case of a little girl who was left with severe spinal cord damage as a result of her birth. After failing to deliver the child using a ventouse, forceps were used to extract her from her mother, but her disabilities were not noticed until she got home. She will need significant lifelong care and was awarded nearly £6million in compensation by the NHS Trust responsible.

If your child was injured as a result of negligent medical care during or after their birth, then it is likely that you will be eligible to make a claim for compensation. Pay-out amounts can be very high due to the specific needs of injured children and the support they are likely to need throughout their lives. Our friendly solicitors are on hand now to listen to your story and help you decide the best way forward. Contact us today so that we can make a start on getting you and your child the pay-out that you deserve.