Hi, my name is Alison Brooks.

AlisonBrooks

I am a clinical negligence solicitor and have been acting for children with cerebral palsy for over 30 years. I noticed a discussion about a family considering legal advice and realised that many families do not know that legal aid is still available for birth injury claims. The system is not as good as a few years ago but it is still worth considering legal aid. Usually you have to make a complaint to the hospital 1st. If anyone is unsure about making a complaint, I am happy to offer support to prepare the letter to the Trust. I am Chair of Trustees of a local charity in Nottingham supporting children with special needs and my firm is very involved with charity work. I am also a Law Society Clinical Negligence panel member and Honorary AvMA panel member.

 Please note that very few cases involving cerebral palsy are due to medical errors, but a complaint can give families much needed answers. Doctors/midwives should now be more open about treatment and usually would be happy to meet with parents to discuss the medical care.

I hope this is helpful.

Lasian_Alumni

Hi @AlisonBrooks, thank you for posting!

For any users that want more information about clinical negligence, please go to: 
https://www.scope.org.uk/support/families/negligence

AlisonBrooks

Thanks Lasian. Barratts are on Scope's solicitor list but I also recommend Legal 500 and Chambers, both independent legal guides which review solicitors all over the UK. There is also the Law Society Clinical negligence panel which has specialists and Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) which I mentioned. All are good sources for getting the best legal advice, not just clinical negligence.I know Scope also have an excellent list of support groups and other sources of information.

Lasian_Alumni

Thank you for your suggestions!

Although we welcome signposting to places of support we hope that members understand that we don’t offer legal advice within the community

AlisonBrooks

Thanks Lasian. Had not realised. Apologies. Alison