Group B Strep Claims

Group B streptococcus (more commonly referred to as ‘group B Strep’) is a type of bacterial infection affecting around 2 in 5 people. While it is normally harmless, group B Strep can cause serious complications for pregnant women, babies and the elderly. It is therefore essential that the proper precautions are taken and care given to protect these vulnerable groups from the risks associated with group B Strep.

Wolferstans are delighted to be one of only a few law firms who are members of the Group B Strep Support legal panel helping to raise greater awareness of group B Strep, and provide support to families affected by it.

If you believe that you, your child or a loved one have suffered negative health consequences due to negligent treatment of group B Strep, you may be able to claim compensation. This is often the only way to ensure all the necessary care and support is in place to deal with the impact of this potentially devastating infection.

Wolferstans’ medical negligence solicitors have particular expertise in group B Strep claims, having worked with a number of clients over the years where we successfully secured substantial compensation in relation for group B Strep negligence.

This experience means we know exactly what to look for when building your case and can provide the most accurate valuation possible for your claim. This gives you the best chance of a successful outcome while avoiding the risk of accepting a lower settlement that you may be entitled to.

Wherever possible, we will resolve your claim out of court by focusing on negotiation and non-confrontational dispute resolution. This allows us to achieve a settlement faster and at lower cost, without the need for you to attend court.

We offer a free initial no obligation consultation during which we will be able to tell you if you have a claim worth investigating further.

To arrange your consultation please contact the new client team on 01752 292204.

Our group B Streptococcus Claims claims service

We work with individuals and families across England and Wales on all types of claims related to group B Strep negligence which can lead to:

Blood poisoning (sepsis)
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Cerebral palsy
Brain injury
Blindness
Deafness
Learning difficulties
Loss of a baby

How group B Strep negligence claims work

Our clinical negligence lawyers will expertly guide you through every stage of claiming compensation, keeping the process as simple and straightforward as we can.

A typical group B Strep claim will involve:

Building your case e.g. applying for medical records, collecting witness evidence and consulting independent medical experts.
Contacting the relevant healthcare provider with the details of your claim.
Ensuring the defendant responds to your claim in a timely fashion.
Assessing the defendant’s response and advising you of your options.
Negotiating with the defendant and/or using alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation or independent evaluation, to secure a suitable settlement.
Submitting your claim to the relevant court and representing you at a court hearing where required to resolve the matter.

Find out more about the process of making a clinical negligence claim.

Funding a group B Strep compensation claim

When dealing with the practical and emotional consequences of group B Strep negligence, worrying about funding a claim should be the last of your concerns. For this reason, we are committed to ensuring that everyone with valid grounds for a claim has a viable funding option available to them.

This means that we work with most of our clients on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. Also called a ‘conditional fee agreement’ this allows you to start a claim without needing to pay anything up front for your legal fees and expenses.

With a no win, no fee group B Strep claim, you only contribute towards your legal costs if your claim succeeds, with the amount you pay based on a percentage of any compensation secured. The result is that you have complete transparency throughout and will always keep the majority of your compensation.

Where group B Strep has resulted in a birth injury, the claim may be eligible for legal aid funding.

To qualify for legal aid funding, the following conditions must apply:

A child has suffered a neurological injury as a result of clinical negligence, leaving them severely disabled (either physically or mentally)
The negligence occurred either:
While the child was in the womb
During the child’s birth
Within a set period after the child’s birth, this being:
For children born before the beginning of the 37th week of pregnancy – 8 weeks from what would have been the beginning of the 37th week
For children born during or after the 37th week of pregnancy – 8 weeks from the day of the child’s birth

You may also want to consider funding your claim with legal expenses insurance. Offered as an optional extra with many home insurance policies, bank accounts and credit cards, this can be a cost-effective option depending on the circumstances.

To discuss your options for covering the cost of a group B Strep negligence claim, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Find out more about funding a medical negligence claim.

Our expertise in group B Strep claims

We have secured substantial settlements for a wide range of clients over the years in relation to group B Strep negligence, helping to ensure they have everything they need to rebuild their lives. This experience means we can give you the strongest chance of achieving a fair outcome, no matter how complex your claim.

Wolferstans is accredited by the Law Society for Clinical Negligence, recognising our particular expertise in this area. We are also Lexcel accredited by the Law Society for excellence in legal practice management and client care.

Various members of our medical negligence team are also on the Law Society and AvMA (Action against Medical Accidents) Specialist Clinical Negligence Panels and have been accredited by APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) as Clinical Negligence Specialists and Brain Injury Specialists.

Find out more about our medical negligence claims team.

Common questions about group B Strep claims

This will depend on the nature of the claim and the circumstances surrounding it.

The standard time limit for bringing a claim on your own behalf is 3 years from the time the injury occurred but there can be exceptions to this.

If you are making a claim for your child, who was injured as a result of group B Strep negligence during their birth, you will typically have until they turn 18 to bring a claim.
If you are making a claim for group B Strep negligence during your own birth, you will have 3 years from the time you turn 18 to make a claim.
If someone affected by group B Strep negligence lacks the mental capacity to claim compensation, there is no time limit for someone else to do this for them.
If your child or a loved one has died as a result of group B Strep negligence, you will normally have 3 years from the date of death to make a claim.

Know which time limit applies and when it has passed can be complicated, so we recommend speaking to one of our specialist medical negligence lawyers no matter how long ago the negligence occurred.

You can normally claim two types of damages for group B Step negligence:

Special damages for specific financial losses incurred up to the date of settlement, such as paying for private treatment, medication and care, as well as other financial losses such as having to take time off or give up work.

General damages for non-financial losses, such as pain and suffering and changes to you, your child or loved one’s lifestyle, as well as likely future financial losses, such as the cost of on going treatment and care.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, group B Strep negligence claims can be resolved with an out-of-court settlement, allowing you to avoid the stress and uncertainty of court action. This is also usually a much faster and less expensive way to secure compensation.

However, where court action is required, we will ensure you have all of the practical and emotional support you need, while providing the skilled advocacy required to secure the best possible outcome.

Further information about group B Strep negligence claims

For more information about group B Strep negligence claims and all types of medical negligence claims, please take a look at our news, blogs and our series of helpful leaflets covering specific issues.

Start a group B Strep claim with us today

To arrange a free initial no obligation consultation and find out more about starting a group B Strep claim: