Stillbirth Compensation Claims
The death of a newborn is extremely distressing in any case. It can be even more upsetting if the death was due to negligence or mismanagement of the birth.
Making a claim can help you and your family to get some answers, as well as give you some breathing space during this emotionally turbulent period.
For a free initial discussion with a member of our friendly team please call 0333 358 3034 or contact us online.
Stillbirth and neonatal death
The death of a baby before or during birth, following twenty-four weeks of pregnancy is known as stillbirth. Sadly, 1 out of every 225 births in the UK ends in stillbirth.
Neonatal death refers to a baby that has passed away within the first 28 days of life.
What causes stillbirth and neonatal death?
Approximately 60 percent of neonatal deaths and stillbirths are inexplicable. In some cases, it may have been possible for preventative action to have been taken. These cases account for the remaining 40 percent and are generally attributed to:
- Infection
- Twins incorrectly diagnosed
- Umbilical cord problems
- Insufficient blood supply through the placenta
- Placental abruption (where the placenta separates early from the uterus)
- Improper monitoring of the baby before or after birth
- Pre-eclampsia (a condition characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine of the mother)
- Poor resuscitation or an undiagnosed or untreated infection in the neonatal period
- Gestational diabetes
These cases are not necessarily fatal and stillbirth can sometimes result because a physician misses symptoms or fails to offer the correct treatment to the mother and baby. This is a prime example of clinical negligence.
Parents are entitled to claim compensation for their suffering, in cases where negligence has taken place. A solicitor can help parents to find out exactly what mistakes were made and bring them a degree of closure. Talk to us about stillbirth compensation claims, we are here to help you.
Stillbirth compensation claims
You could be entitled to claim compensation for a stillbirth if a medical professional:
- Failed to treat your symptoms correctly or soon enough
- Failed to refer you to a consultant if your tests were unusual
- Didn’t give you regular check-ups and tests
- Missed symptoms or misinterpreted results
Pursuing a claim will hold medical professionals accountable for their negligence and, more importantly, will help to bring parents a sense of closure as they come to terms with what has happened.
Claiming for the effects of stillbirth or neonatal death
It is normal for the entire family to be affected by such a traumatic event. The long-term burden on the mental health of people in the family can lead to conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). A compensation claim for a stillbirth will take this psychological aspect into account and may give you the financial means to access specialist services, such as therapy and counselling.
A successful claim may also be able to recover the costs of:
- Funeral costs
- Loss of earnings following time off work
- Travel to and from medical appointments
At Jefferies we’re here to support you
Contact us on 0333 358 3034 today or get in touch with our friendly team online via our website.