A Baby Girl Born at The Southend Hospital Suffered Severe Birth Injuries
In an ongoing case in court, a woman has launched a claim of more than £10million against the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust which oversees the Southend Hospital.
According to recent reports,The now four-year child Sienna Braithwaite, suffered severe birth injuries and needs round the clock care for the rest of her life. She was born at the Southend hospital on 29 June 2017.
The present practice now is for doctors to give the patient an injection of a special solution and then perform an MRI scan. This scan will only show the size of the tumour but cannot differentiate whether it is aggressive or not. As a result of this, as many as 20,000 men in the UK undergo avoidable surgeries or radiotherapy every year.
A writ issued by the court and which has been made public says that Sienna will never be able to walk, work, or have children, and will need round the clock care for the rest of her life. In addition to being doubly incontinent, she has to be fed by a special tube and is likely to have a shortened life expectancy.
Her mother Sarah WIllgress was admitted for the delivery of her baby but wasn’t given the vest of care as her unborn baby’s heart rate dropped before a junior doctor decided to carry out a forceps delivery. The baby was born in very poor conditions with the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around her neck and the medical staff delayed for 10 minutes before she was resuscitated, a delay that proved catastrophic.
Sienna thus suffered cerebral palsy, epilepsy, severe brain damage, problems with her hearing and sight as a result of her brain being deprived of blood and oxygen.
What Is Meant By Birth Injury Claims?
Birth Injury Claims refers to when an individual takes legal action against her doctor, Midwife or the hospital for negligent treatment during antenatal care or childbirth which has caused avoidable harm, injury or complications to the mother or child as well as affecting the quality of life of mother and baby.
Some birth injuries that can happen to the child include:
- Fracture to the clavicle or skull
- Bruising or even bleeding to the head as a result of wrong use of instruments
- Erb’s palsy
- Cerebral palsy
- Facial palsy
- Fractures
- Facial injuries
- Brain damage as a result of hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain)
- Placental injury
- Downs syndrome
- Epilepsy
Furthermore, the mother may suffer birth injuries such as:
- Perineal tear
- Uterine rupture
- Injuries to the bladder or urethra
- Short-term or long-term bowel incontinence
- Anemia
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Physical Injuries such as dysplasia, fistulas
- Complications affecting chances of having children in future
- Injuries to internal organs during a Cesarean Section
Why Do Birth Injuries Happen?
These birth injuries can be caused by various factors and when these happen, birth injury negligence claims can be made.
- Failing to monitor the development of mother and child for conditions, defects or developmental anomalies such as Down Syndrome, heart or brain defects and make prompt intervention
- Incorrect use of instruments such as forceps during an assisted delivery
- Allowing the mother to suffer prolonged and unprogressive labour which puts both mother and child at risk of birth injuries
- Failure to monitor progress of mother and child during labour
- Using the wrong assisted delivery method
- Poor handling of the baby during and after delivery
- Negligent C-Section
- Negligent post-delivery care to mother and child
How Our Birth Injury Solicitors Can Help
When you come to us to assist you with your birth injury claims, you can be rest assured that you will get the best legal representation possible and get a deserved birth injury compensation.
The period of pregnancy and childbirth are often filled with anxiety and when things turn badly as a result of medical negligence, it brings an immense psychological trauma, sadness and pain.
Our solicitors understand this and are prepared to fight by you to see that justice is served. We will not only help you prove the liability of the hospital but also ensure that you receive a deserved compensation amount especially as the child may need round the clock care for the rest of his or her life.
Our consultation sessions are free while we also undertake such claims on a No Win No Fee basis. You may also be eligible for Legal Aid from the UK government and we will ensure this is secured for you.
Do not delay taking this step to fight for the future of your child. You can fill out our free online claims assessment form and one of our specialist solicitors will get in touch with you to discuss with you and begin your claims.