• Medical Negligence
• Cerebral Palsy
• Erbs Palsy
• Kernicterus
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Cancer Negligence
• Brain Haemorrhage
• Surgery & Laparoscopy
• Medical Product Liability
• Mens Health
• Accident & Emergency
• General Practitioners
• Anaesthetic Awareness

Our medical negligence solicitors deal with complex personal injury cases for the victims of negligent errors by healthcare professionals. We deal with kernicterus compensation claims which usually take the form of an action for damages for athetoid cerebral palsy caused by negligent treatment. Compensation awards are paid in full and you do not have to fund or finance your legal case. Win or lose there is no charge with no risk whatsoever. If your child suffers from cerebral palsy as a result of kernicterus that may have been caused by clinical negligence shortly after birth, our solicitors offer free legal advice on liability and an estimate of the damages that you may expect to receive. Do yourself justice and give us a call.

Kernicterus is a condition that causes a permanent brain injury with similar symptoms to cerebral palsy. The condition is caused by high levels of a chemical called ‘bilirubin’ that may accumulate in an infant’s bloodstream shortly after birth. The injury caused by high levels of bilirubin known as hyperbilirubinaemia is identical to athetoid cerebral palsy which is associated with hearing loss, vision deficiencies and mental retardation. Bilirubin is one of the breakdown products of haemoglobin which is a major constituent of the blood. Excessive bilirubin causes jaundice which should in all cases be monitored very carefully. There are a number of symptoms for hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus which may include :-

• orange or yellow skin colour
• reduction in awareness
• difficulty in awakening the baby
• body arched like a bow
• poor sucking or nursing
• weakness, limpness or floppiness
• high pitched cry

Treatment for hyperbilirubinaemia is straightforward notwithstanding the serious complications of untreated hyperbilirubinaemia. All doctors, midwives and healthcare practitioners who deal with new born infants should be aware that are a number of risk factors for kernicterus, the existence of which should promote extra vigilance. The most common risk factors are as follows :-

• sibling who has had jaundice increases the risk
• babies who are poor eaters are at risk of jaundice
• hereditary factors including Mediterranean children or East Asian children
• a baby who has bruises at birth is likely to subsequently develop jaundice resulting in hyperbilrubinaemia
• babies born before 37 weeks may have an underdeveloped liver and be unable to eliminate bilirubinin
• a baby who is jaundiced in the first 24 hours of life may subsequently become dangerously jaundiced

Our specialist medical negligence solicitors are able to deal with a wide range of personal injury compensation claims. If you’re child has been injured as a result of negligence by a healthcare professional, we can help you to preserve your legal right to compensation. We offer free consultations for advice to find out whether you have a good case, how to go about claiming and how much your compensation might be worth. We will give you clear unequivocal advice about your chances of success and the anticipated value of your claim. If after talking to us you decide not to take your medical negligence compensation claim further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged anything at all.