The Donna Ockenden led review into the maternity units in Nottingham is investigating potentially avoidable catastrophic birth injuries.
Families who have suffered the loss of their baby, or whose child suffered a substantial brain injury leading to cerebral palsy, will be taking part in the investigation.
The Nottinghamshire Police will be conducting a separate criminal investigation into serious incidents in the maternity units.
What can cause cerebral palsy?
This is a complicated and permanent disability that can affect the mobility of up to all four limbs. It can also have a devastating impact on mental capacity which cannot be retrieved.
Cerebral palsy can be caused when a baby experiences serious harm before, during or just after they are born when the lack or delay of emergency medical intervention means they suffer a period of oxygen deprivation.
Often delivered in a visibly poor condition, the early signs of cerebral palsy may be evident.
What can parents do if they suspect CP?
A family is unlikely to receive a comprehensive cerebral palsy diagnosis until their child is aged four or five.
This is because specialists need to observe how a child develops in order to understand which of the four types of cerebral palsy they have, and what this means for their future.
A claim for compensation when clinical errors are suspected as being responsible for this lifelong disability can be started before a formal diagnosis is given.
Will families of children with cerebral palsy have to speak to Nottinghamshire Police?
The criminal investigation being conducted by Nottinghamshire Police is a separate process to taking legal action against the hospital thought to have caused a child’s permanent disabilities.
Nottinghamshire Police will be in contact with the families they wish to speak to in relation to their criminal investigation.
Understanding what happened
The claims process should provide parents with a clearer understanding of exactly what happened to cause their child serious harm.
This invaluable information and understanding of the events leading up to their injury will help as vital evidence is proof that it may have been avoided with better medical care.
Without robust evidence compensation cannot be accessed.
Starting a claim before a formal diagnosis
Families can start a medical negligence claim before a full diagnosis of their child’s disability can be provided.
A child is unlikely to receive a formal CP diagnosis until the age of four or five when medical professionals should have a better understanding of their condition and lifelong needs.
Contact the team at Diane Rostron to start a clinical negligence claim
It is understandable that following an appalling incident leading to serious harm in a hospital that families will want answers for their cerebral palsy subjected child.
A natural response is to make the person responsible accountable for the injury. Seeking representation from the specialists at Diane Rostron will ensure that extensive inquiries are made to get to the truth of what happened.
We support parents on a no win no fee basis to remove any barriers to securing the justice their child deserves.