Health Board apologises to family of Erbs Palsy boy – six figure compensation payment expected
The parents of a Pembrokeshire boy, left with severe physical birth injuries as a result of errors made by health care professionals, have received a formal apology from Hywel Dda Health Board after a five-year battle for answers.
Four and a half-year-old Matthew Griffiths, from Haverfordwest, suffers from a severe left-sided Erbs Palsy, a condition that affects the nerves in the arm. This is most commonly caused as a result of damage to the brachial plexus during a traumatic delivery.
As a result of mistakes made both before and during Matthew's birth, he has been left with a severely deformed upper limb and a life- long disability in his left arm.
Problems first arose when Matthew’s mum, Diane Griffiths, developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Her condition went undetected and as a result baby Matthew was 10lbs 1 oz at birth.
During Diane’s labour at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, Matthew's shoulder became impacted behind his mother’s pelvis after his head had been delivered.
Hywel Dda NHS Local Health Board has now accepted liability for Matthew’s injuries, paving the way for a future settlement which is expected to be a six figure sum.
A spokesman for the health board said: "Hywel Dda Health Board apologises for this incident and any distress caused to the family. Lessons have been learnt and action undertaken to address failings."
Commenting on the case, top medical negligence lawyer Susan Brown said: "We act for a number of children who have suffered Erb's palsy as a result of errors made at the time of their delivery. The severity of the injury can vary greatly with some having no useful function of the affected arm at all. Often the negligence is in allowing the mother to proceed to a normal delivery, but sometimes it is because staff at delivery fail to carry out standard procedures to deal with the emergency situation that arises when the baby becomes stuck in the birth canal."
Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.
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