Cerebral Palsy – Overstimulation of the uterus

In 1997 Mrs Cooper became pregnant for the first time and the pregnancy was entirely normal until approximately 35 weeks when she was admitted to hospital with back pain. Labour was induced a few days later but too much Prostin was given and Mrs Cooper’s uterus began to contract too strongly.

After some delay her daughter was eventually delivered by emergency Caesarean section but had suffered brain injury which caused a very mild cerebral palsy.

Compensation: £732,000

Cerebral Palsy – Epidural top-up    

Mrs Black was given an epidural anaesthetic during her labour with her first child. She began to experience a feeling of pressure at the base of her spine and stiffness and discomfort in her back. She was vomiting, short of breath and sweating profusely. The epidural was topped up and afterwards no foetal heartbeat could be detected. The baby, Adam, was delivered by forceps but had suffered severe brain damage.

We carried out a full investigation and were advised by independent experts that the top-up epidural had led to a sudden fall in Mrs Black’s blood pressure which caused Adam’s brain injury.

We pursued a claim for Adam for the terrible injuries he had suffered and the case proceeded to a full trial in the High Court where the Judge found Adam’s favour and awarded substantial damages.

Compensation: £1,021,619

Cerebral Palsy- delay in delivery

During Mrs Clarke’s first labour progress was very slow and the baby became distressed. The CTG monitor showed evidence that the baby was in distress but no action was taken to expedite delivery and when she was eventually born, Mrs Clarke’s daughter, Sarah was in a very poor condition.

Sarah had suffered a serious brain injury as a result of the delay in delivery and she went on to develop cerebral palsy.

We issued court proceedings for Sarah following which the hospital admitted liability and agreed to pay compensation to Sarah for the injuries that she had suffered.

Compensation: £3,700,000     

Cerebral palsy - failure to recognise cephalo-pelvic disproportion during labour

Toby was born after a prolonged labour during which a forceps delivery was attempted by a junior doctor who had failed to appreciate that Toby was a very large baby and would not fit through his mother’s pelvis.  After the failed attempt at forceps delivery a caesarean section was performed but by that time Toby had suffered brain damage and he went on to develop cerebral palsy.

We pursued a claim on Toby’s behalf and after court proceedings were issued, the hospital admitted liability and agreed to pay compensation for Toby’s injuries.

Compensation: £3,205,000    

These are genuine case studies, although the names of our clients have been changed to protect their right to privacy and confidentiality.