Birth injury claims may arise where a baby or mother suffers injury during pregnancy, labour, delivery, or shortly after birth due to substandard medical care. Kerrigan Solicitors advises clients throughout Galway and Ireland in relation to birth injury claims and obstetric negligence cases.
What Are Birth Injury Claims?
Birth injury claims arise where negligent medical treatment during pregnancy, labour, or delivery causes injury to a baby or mother.
While childbirth can involve recognised risks, healthcare professionals are required to provide treatment in accordance with acceptable medical standards. Where failures in care occur and injury results, a medical negligence claim may arise.
Birth injuries can have lifelong consequences for a child and their family, often requiring ongoing medical treatment, therapy, care, and support.
Examples of Birth Injury Claims
Birth injury claims may arise from:
- Failure to monitor foetal distress appropriately
- Delayed delivery or emergency caesarean section
- Mismanagement of labour and delivery
- Inadequate CTG monitoring
- Oxygen deprivation during birth
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction
- Failure to diagnose complications during pregnancy
- Maternal injuries during childbirth
Some birth injuries may result in serious conditions including cerebral palsy, brain injury, nerve damage, or other long-term disabilities.
Bringing a Birth Injury Claim
Birth injury claims often require detailed review of maternity records, hospital documentation, and independent expert medical evidence.
To establish a claim, it must generally be shown that the healthcare provider failed to provide treatment to an acceptable standard and that this failure caused or contributed to the injury.
Compensation may include damages for pain and suffering, future medical treatment, therapy costs, care requirements, accommodation needs, loss of earnings, and other financial losses arising from the injury.
You can also read what previous clients have said about their experience of working with us.
Time Limits for Medical Negligence Claims
Medical negligence claims in Ireland are subject to strict time limits. However, different rules may apply where a child has suffered injury.
Early legal advice can assist in preserving evidence and ensuring that important time limits are protected.
Speak With a Medical Negligence Solicitor
If you require advice regarding a birth injury claim, we can provide clear, practical guidance regarding your situation.
Contact Kerrigan Solicitors to arrange a confidential consultation. We advise clients throughout Galway and Ireland in relation to birth injury claims and obstetric negligence matters.
Email us at m.kerrigan@kerrigansolicitors.ie or telephone 091-820630 to arrange a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Injury Claims
What are birth injury claims?
How do I know if I may have a birth injury claim?
Is there a time limit for making a medical negligence claim in Ireland?
In most cases, medical negligence claims in Ireland must be brought within two years less one day from the date of injury, although some exceptions may apply
Do I need my medical records before contacting a solicitor?
No. Your solicitor can arrange to obtain your medical records as part of the process of assessing whether a claim may arise.
How long does a medical negligence claim take?
Medical negligence claims can take longer than other personal injury cases because independent expert medical evidence is required before proceedings can begin.
Do you handle medical negligence claims for clients in Galway?
Yes, we advise clients in Galway city and county, and throughout Ireland in relation to medical negligence claims.
See what our clients have said about their experience working with us.
“Professional, clear advice throughout the process.”
'We understand that taking a medical negligence claim can feel like a big step.'
- Martin Kerrigan
If you would like advice about your situation, contact us for a confidential discussion.
Why Clients Choose Kerrigan Solicitors
Specialist Medical Negligence Experience
We provide focused legal advice in complex medical negligence cases, including treatment in Accident & Emergency departments.
Clear Advice From the Outset
We assess your situation carefully and advise whether your case may give rise to a claim before any decision is made.
Independent Medical Expert Support
We work with independent medical experts to evaluate whether the standard of care you received fell below acceptable levels.
Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation
We offer an initial consultation to discuss your circumstances and outline your options in a clear and practical way.
Arrange a Consultation
Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation discussion about your situation and whether you may have grounds for a medical negligence claim.
Strict time limits apply to medical negligence claims in Ireland.