Group B Strep Claims

Making a Group B Strep Claim

Group B Streptococcus is a common bacterium which, in most cases, does not cause any harm to pregnant women or babies. However, if an infection is misdiagnosed or left untreated, it can lead to serious injury or even death of the newborn. While no amount of money can make up for what happened, a successful Group B Strep claim can help you get the financial support you need to recover and move forward with your life.

What is Group B Strep?

Group B Streptococcus is a type of bacteria typically found in the vagina and rectum. Around 20–40% of pregnant women carry this bacteria naturally, making it one of the most common causes of infection during pregnancy. Group B Strep is rarely harmful to the mother. However, during labour, if the mother is carrying Group B Strep, her baby could be infected during the birthing process.

The NHS does not routinely screen pregnant women for Group B Strep unless there are clear signs of an infection, such as the mother having a temperature during labour. Medical professionals are however trained to spot the signs of a Strep infection and will monitor the baby for around 12 hours after it is born.

What are the symptoms of a Group B Strep Infection?

Signs of Group B Strep may be difficult to spot in a baby since the infection can manifest in several ways. Early-onset infections typically cause symptoms such as fever, grunting when breathing, irritability, poor feeding, being floppy and unresponsive and extreme exhaustion.

Late-onset infections may present with skin blemishes, neurological issues, sepsis, meningitis or auditory problems. In rare cases, Group B Strep can be life-threatening if it is not treated effectively.

If you suspect that your baby may have been infected by Group B Strep, make sure you tell your doctor or midwife so that appropriate tests can be carried out. Antibiotics can be life-saving when given to infants with a suspected infection.

What is a Group B Strep claim?

A Group B Strep claim is a form of birth injury claim. It arises when health professionals fail to provide an acceptable standard of care. This could include:

• Failing to monitor the newborn for signs of infection
• Failing to diagnose symptoms as Group B Strep
• Not providing the appropriate treatment
• Mismanaging the treatment
• Avoidable delays in providing treatment
• Failing to give guidance to pregnant women who are known to carry Group B Strep

How do I make a Group B Strep claim?

A specialist birth injury solicitor can help you make a Group B Strep claim. The team at Osbornes will be able to assess the merits of your case and advise you on whether or not you have a valid claim.

To do that, they will assess:

• Whether the medical professionals owed you a duty of care
• Whether there was a breach of the duty
• Whether the breach caused the injury or harm

If a solicitor believes that you have a valid claim, they will advise you on the next steps. This can include obtaining copies of your medical records and having an independent medical expert review your case.

Is there a time limit for making a Group B Strep claim?

You have three years from the day of your baby’s injury to make a claim, or in some cases the date of knowledge. This means that if you only become aware of the Strep B diagnosis months or even years later, then this is the date from which your three-year time limit will start. An injury to a baby has a different limitation deadline, a claim must be issued on or before the child’s 21st birthday.

In exceptional cases, the court may grant an extension. However, it is important to speak to a solicitor as soon as possible to ensure that all legal deadlines are met.

How much compensation will I receive for Group B Strep?

Group B Strep settlements can sometimes be very substantial. The level of compensation depends on the severity of the injury and the need for ongoing care. If a baby is severely disabled because of contracting the Strep B infection, then compensation can be very high as the child will need life-long assistance.

Your solicitor can give you an estimate of the level of compensation you are likely to receive in your case. They can also seek interim payments where negligence is accepted. These payments are made while your case is ongoing and are available to cover your child’s immediate needs.

Pursuing a compensation claim may feel daunting but having the right solicitor can make all the difference. The experienced medical negligence team at Osbornes Law will provide you with a high-quality compassionate service and help guide you through every step of the claims process. Contact us in confidence to discuss your claim.