We successfully secured compensation for a teenager who was left with Erb's palsy after a negligent delivery.
Our client, Courtney, was born in 1999 at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital. The birth was not an easy one, and as the labour became more and more protracted her mother Stacey asked repeatedly for a caesarean section. She was refused. Courtney’s right shoulder became stuck during delivery and the nerves were severely damaged, leaving her with a permanent condition known as Erb's palsy.
Erb's palsy affects the nerves that conduct signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. As a result of her birth injury, Courtney has a weakened right arm. With reduced movement, grip and strength, she struggles with many everyday tasks and is reliant on others to help her. At sixteen, she cannot do many things that other teenagers take for granted, and will always face challenges in daily life and have less independence because of her support needs.
We were able to prove that the staff were negligent in not delivering Courtney sooner by caesarean section. Shoulder dystocia, as it is called, is an obstetric emergency that requires immediate attention and has serious consequences if not dealt with in the right way. In Courtney’s case, the failure of the staff to deliver her urgently by C-section would cause her lifelong injuries.
The compensation we secured for Courtney will enable her to access the right therapy and rehabilitative care she needs to support her in her life.
Expert medical negligence lawyer Sarah Coles represented her. She said: “We’re glad to have secured this settlement for Courtney and her family. We hope it allows them to put their ordeal behind them and look forward to the future, knowing that she will be able to access the services she needs.
“Patient safety should always be the main priority for medical staff, particularly on maternity wards where mothers and babies are particularly vulnerable. This situation could have been avoided if the appropriate expertise had been obtained to manage the labour.”
Courtney’s mother Stacey spoke of her relief at a settlement being secured. “I know it happened 16 years ago but this kind of problem still happens today and I think it’s important for medical staff to look at every situation carefully and obtain guidance as necessary.
“As a result of her injuries, Courtney faces challenges every day, but she is determined to overcome them and get on with her life. The problems we suffered at the hospital were awful, but now we want to put the experience behind us and focus on getting Courtney the help and support she needs.”
If your child suffered Erb’s Palsy due to negligence at birth, our lawyers could help you claim compensation . Call 0808 163 4557 for a free consultation or visit our Erb's Palsy Claims page for more details.
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