Brain Damage Claims — Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Brain damage claims relate to injuries sustained during or shortly after birth, often caused by oxygen deprivation (hypoxia or anoxia) during delivery or failures in neonatal care. Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the most common form, occurring when the baby's brain does not receive enough oxygen during the birth process.

Common causes include delayed emergency caesarean section when fetal monitoring shows distress, umbilical cord complications (prolapse, compression, or nuchal cord) that were not identified or acted upon, and failures in neonatal resuscitation after birth.

Neonatal brain damage can also result from infections that were not identified or treated promptly (such as Group B Streptococcus), jaundice leading to kernicterus, and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) that was not monitored or managed in the hours after birth.

The effects of neonatal brain damage range from mild developmental delays to severe disability requiring lifetime care. Claims can be brought until the child's 21st birthday, or indefinitely if the individual lacks mental capacity. Settlements for severe brain damage regularly reach £5 million to £20 million.