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, if the mother is carrying Group B Strep during labour, 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’s 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, 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 not treated effectively.

If you suspect that Group B Strep may have infected your baby, 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 the following:

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

If a solicitor believes 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, 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, speaking to a solicitor as soon as possible is important to meet all legal deadlines.

How much compensation will I receive for Group B Strep?

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

Your medical negligence solicitor can give you an estimate of the compensation level you will likely 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 high-quality, compassionate service and help guide you through every step of the claims process. Read our NHS Payouts Compensation Guide.

How we can help

Our birth injury solicitors can provide advice on every aspect of your claim, from gathering the evidence and negotiating with medical teams to seeking rehabilitation support for your child. We understand that this can be a difficult time, so we will keep you fully informed throughout the process and put you in touch with relevant charities and support.

If you think you may have a claim, please contact us for a free, no-obligation assessment of your case. Call 020 7485 8811 or fill in the contact form below.

Related services

We specialise in serious birth injury claims, including:

• Cerebral Palsy Claims
• Stillbirth Claims
• Spina Bifida Claims
• Miscarriage misdiagnosis Claims
• Birth Injuries to Mother Claims
• Pregnancy Negligence Claims
• Wrongful Birth Claims

Additional resources

• In addition to NHS complaints procedure and the civil litigation, there is the Health and Safety Investigations Branch (HSIB).