Cerebral Palsy Compensation Claims
If your child or another member of your family suffers from cerebral palsy and you believe the condition was brought on by mismanagement or clinical negligence during birth, you may be able to make a compensation claim against the hospital or health institution responsible.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder of movement that is caused by damage to the brain and often attributed to causes such as a lack of oxygen, infection or jaundice. The brain damage is permanent and can occur either before, during or after the birthing process.
In the UK, around two children in every 1000 suffer from cerebral palsy. It is thought that 10% of sufferers can attribute their physical disability to birth complications. In some cases poor management or clinical negligence can lead to someone developing cerebral palsy in which case the claimant could have a case for obtaining compensation. To succeed with a cerebral palsy compensation claim you will need to prove that the doctors or midwives did not meet the standard required of them during the birthing process and that those failings caused the birth injury
Expert Cerebral Palsy solicitors
Cerebral Palsy cases can be both extremely complex to investigate and stressful for the families involved. That’s why at our lawyers at Irwin Mitchell will guide you through the process of making a compensation claim. Our dedicated team of UK solicitors has built an enviable reputation as experts in cerebral palsy claims. We will work with you to investigate the case and to try and achieve a compensation package that provides financial security for your child or relative. Compensation will enable you to improve their quality of life and pay for high quality care and equipment. At Irwin Mitchell we have a specialist client liaison manager and voluntary sector liaison manager who will also provide support and advice whilst your case is being investigated.
Cerebral palsy is often identified as being one of the most expensive development disabilities to manage over the course of a person’s lifetime.
Types of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy has three major classifications. These refer to the different movement impairments that can occur and reflect the part of the brain that is affected. The classifications are as follows:
- Spastic
- Athetoid/Dyskinetic
- Mixed
There are other classifications of cerebral palsy, but these represent the most prevalent.
Are there any time limits on my claim?
The Legal Services Commission may be able to provide Public Funding (also known as Legal Aid) to enable you to investigate a cerebral palsy compensation claim on your child’s behalf. Most children who suffer from cerebral palsy will be eligible for this funding and an Irwin Mitchell expert clinical negligence solicitors will be able to advise you further.
You should be aware that there is a three-year time limit for claims in adults. This time limit applies at the age of 18, so any cerebral palsy claims should be made before the claimant reaches 21 years old. In some instances, even after this three year period , you may still be able to bring a birth injury claim if the claimant is unable to look after their own affairs. It is important to seek quality legal advice as soon as you can, as this will make any investigation and birth injury claim easier.
If you would like our lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate your cerebral palsy compensation claim, contact us today. Simply fill in the birth injury claim form and our team will get back to you to discuss your case further.