No win, no fee Hip Dysplasia compensation claims
You can be represented by a highly-experienced medical negligence lawyer at no upfront cost to you. Under our No Win No Fee agreement you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation awarded if your case is successful.
Failure to diagnose congenital hip dysplasia and dislocation
Every baby should be examined soon after birth to check that their hip joints have developed properly, as it is estimated that around 2-3 in every 1,000 babies will require hip treatment to prevent further complications as they grow.
Congenital hip dysplasia is a condition in which the socket of the hip joint is shallower than it should be and does not fully support the ball of the joint. Another name for this condition is congenital dislocation of the hip because the failure of the hip joint results in dislocation.
In some cases, children are born with bilateral congenital hip dysplasia, which means both sides of the hips are affected, and any delay in diagnosing the condition can affect a child’s treatment options and future mobility, quality of life, and overall health, causing persistent hip and knee pain as they grow older.
If examinations were not carried out properly, and the condition was missed in your child leading to a delayed diagnosis, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
What checks should be done for congenital hip dysplasia?
NHS guidelines stipulate that a baby’s hips must be examined as part of a number of tests due to be carried out within 72 hours of being born, usually by a hospital doctor, such as a paediatrician
There should be a further examination between 6 and 8 weeks, this is usually carried out by a GP.
The examination should involve placing the baby on their back with their hips and knees flexed at 90 degrees. The examiner should gently lift and move the baby’s legs away and back towards the body whilst applying pressure some gentle pressure to the back of their legs.
What shoud doctors consider when checking for Congenital hip dysplasia?
Checks are carried out to look for any suspicion of abnormality such as restricted movement, clicking of the hip or unequal leg length, should there be any concerns, an ultrasound scan should be conducted.
Additional risk factors which should also be considered include breech deliveries (babies born bottom first or feet first), and any family history of developmental dysplasia of the hip or any other orthopedic issues. The fact that hip dysplasia is also more common among girls should also be considered.
By carrying out the required checks and examinations, doctors can effectively screen for congenital hip dysplasia in babies, and therefore delays in diagnosis and treatment should be avoided.
Long-term health problems caused by congenital hip dysplasia
The consequences of failing to diagnose congenital hip dysplasia in newborn babies can include walking with a noticeable limp and restricted mobility, whilst longer term it can cause early-onset arthritis, with early wear and tear of the hip joint causing osteoarthritis at a younger age than usual.
The instability of the hip joint can also lead to frequent dislocations and in some cases cause significant disability, affecting your child’s ability to perform daily activities.
Invasive surgical procedures, which could have been avoided with timely diagnosis, may also be required, including hip replacements.
If your baby’s hip dysplasia was not detected and treated early enough, speak to our expert legal team at Hudgell Solicitors today.
Specialist birth injury solicitors
Our dedicated medical negligence solicitors and support team have vast experience, ensuring your case reflects the severity of the situation and the support you and your family need. They will:
- Provide a compassionate and understanding service tailored to your situation.
- Help you gain access to support services to help make the best possible recovery following a birth injury.
- Seek interim compensation payments where possible to pay for medical equipment, rehabilitation, surgery, accommodation or assisted care.
- Help you plan for any long-term care needs required for you or your child to support independent living.
How to make a hip dysplasia claim
Make a claim in six easy steps
Free Initial Advice
Call us, request a callback or complete our online claim form and we will assess whether we think you have a claim.
Funding
We will help you to decide how best to fund your claim. Usually, we will be able to offer you a No win, No fee agreement.
Obtain Medical Records & Medical Reports
We will request copies of your medical records and instruct appropriate medical experts to prepare reports confirming whether your care was negligent and how this caused your injury.
Letter Of Claim
We will send a letter to your healthcare provider with details of your claim, setting out why we think your case was negligent and how this caused your injury.
Prepare Claim Valuation
We will put together a schedule of loss setting out the losses you have incurred and the extent of the injuries you have sustained.
Negotiate Settlement
We will send all the evidence to your opponent inviting their settlement proposals. If we cannot agree a reasonable settlement, we will prepare court proceedings.
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FAQs
What signs of congenital hip dysplasia should parents look for?
As a congenital hip dislocation can be missed by midwives and doctors, it is important for parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms in their babies.
One of the easiest signs to spot is in skin folds, as there may be uneven amounts of skin folds on your baby’s thighs or buttocks, or they may be at different heights when their legs are extended.
You should also look out for signs of discomfort or pain when spreading your baby’s legs apart for nappy changes, as this could indicate a lack of mobility, whilst if they prefer to always lay on the same side, this could be due to discomfort.
Delays in crawling, standing, or walking compared to their peers could be another indication of possible issues with hip development.
Babies can sometimes drag one of their legs when crawling, whilst in toddlers signs can include a noticeable limp or waddling when they walk, walking on their toes on one side, struggling on stairs and one leg appearing longer or shorter.
What treatment should be provided to a baby born with a dislocated hip?
For babies up to around the age of six months old, a Pavlik harness is usually used.
This is a soft brace which holds the baby’s hips in a stable position to promote proper joint development.
This is usually worn for several weeks or months, then gradually reduced as the hip strengthens in position.
For babies between 6 months and two years old, if the Pavlik harness is not effective, a procedure called a closed reduction may be used, in which a doctor will manually place the hip back into the socket while the child is under anaesthesia.
After this, a body cast will be used for several months to ensure the hip remains in place.
What are the time limits for making a congenital hip dysplasia claim?
In medical negligence claims for under-18s, there is no time limit. However, once a child reaches 18, the standard 3-year claim period from the date that the negligence occurred, or from the date that you became aware of negligent treatment, comes into effect.
If a person lacks the capacity to make a claim themselves, there’s no time limit for making a claim.
Why should I choose Hudgell Solicitors for a birth injury claim?
Our experienced legal team is supported by in-house medical experts – including a registered midwife – meaning we are able to fully assess cases and the standard of treatment provided.
We listen to your questions and provide free, expert advice to help you decide if you want to start a birth negligence claim. There is no commitment at this stage, but it will enable our lawyers to assess whether your case can be taken forward and inform you what the next steps will be.
Should we feel we can pursue a compensation claim on your behalf, a specialist medical negligence lawyer will be assigned and dedicated to supporting you through your case.
They will explain, in plain, non-legal language, what is likely to be needed from you at each stage of the process, including what evidence and information will need to be obtained.
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