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Group B streptococcus is the most common cause of severe infection suffered by babies in their first week of life. It affects one in every 2,000 newborn babies in the UK and Ireland.

This common infection, which is also known as GBS or group B strep, is a risk factor in many pregnancies. Mothers with GBS must be carefully managed during pregnancy to reduce the risk of harm to their baby. If incorrectly treated, GBS infection can lead to life-threatening meningitis and septicaemia.

Most Group B Strep claims arise from delayed or negligent maternity or neonatal treatment for GBS causing brain injury to the child.

What is group B streptococcus or GBS?

Group B Strep or GBS is a bacterial infection carried by 40% of the population. 20% of women carry GBS in their vagina or bowel. It is usually harmless, so they often remain unaware. During pregnancy, it is more important for a woman to know if she is carrying GBS as the infection can be dangerous for her baby. During pregnancy and childbirth, the baby can become infected with Group B Strep. They may pick up the infection in the uterus or during delivery. Where the baby picks up GBS from their mother during pregnancy or birth, they usually start to show signs of infection within the first seven days of life. This is known as ‘early-onset’ neonatal GBS. Babies can also develop what is known as ‘late-onset’ GBS infection after the first week of their life, usually from exposure to other sources of infection.

Pregnant women who carry group B streptococcus need careful management in pregnancy and labour. This includes prompt antibiotic treatment of any signs of infection, such as urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy. They should also receive antibiotics during labour and birth to reduce their baby’s risk of early-onset GBS infection.

Starting your child’s Group B Strep claim

To help investigate your child’s Group B Strep claim, we will obtain medical records, any investigation documentation and treatment protocols. We will then take a detailed witness statement from you and others as necessary and instruct independent medical experts to consider the care your child received and the consequences for your child of the failings in their care.

The defendant may accept responsibility for your child’s injury as a result of negligent care, and we may be able to negotiate the appropriate compensation award at this point.

If settlement is not achieved, we will start court proceedings and take the case towards trial keeping the defendant under pressure to agree settlement of your child’s claim. Over 95% of cases succeed without the need for trial but every case is prepared on the basis that a judge will need to decide all the issues in your child’s claim that the defendant has not admitted.

Why choose Boyes Turner?

Boyes Turner’s brain injury lawyers are experts at claiming compensation for injuries caused by mistakes in maternity and neonatal care. We understand group B strep, meningitis, cerebral palsy and neurological disability. We help our client families manage the devastating consequences of their child’s injury, through their entitlement to compensation.

  • We are nationally acclaimed medical negligence lawyers. We are recognised as leading clinical negligence experts by Chambers Directory and Legal 500.
  • Our award-winning solicitors are accredited for our expertise by the Law Society, AvMA and APIL. We secure maximum compensation settlements for our clients which make the best provision for their current and future needs.
  • We have an extensive and highly experienced medical negligence team with proven skills to succeed in high value, complex claims involving catastrophic injury and severe disability.

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Group B Strep (GBS) negligence frequently asked questions

Which babies are at high risk of developing group B streptococcal infection (GBS)?

Newborn babies have a higher risk of Group B Strep infection when:

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What are the symptoms and signs of early-onset neonatal GBS (group B strep) infection?

A baby who has early-onset neonatal GBS infection will show signs and symptoms within 12 hours of birth, such as:

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What are the dangers of group B strep (GBS) infection to a newborn baby?

Group B streptococcus infection is dangerous to newborn babies because their immune systems are undeveloped. Early-onset GBS infection must be diagnosed and treated immediately. With quick diagnosis and treatment, most babies with GBS make a good recovery.

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What is the treatment for a baby with group B strep (GBS)?

If a newborn baby develops a GBS infection, they must receive antibiotic treatment urgently in the hospital.

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What screening and treatment is given to pregnant women with group B strep (GBS) infection?

Screening is not routinely offered to pregnant women in the UK. A pregnant woman who is known to carry GBS will only be given antibiotics during pregnancy if:

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When can I claim for GBS infection negligence?

We can help severely disabled children claim compensation if their injury was caused by negligent maternity or neonatal care. Common mistakes in maternity or neonatal care relating to GBS infection include:

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Who can claim compensation for injuries caused by group B strep (GBS) negligence?

A child may be entitled to substantial compensation if mistakes in maternity, neonatal or GP treatment of group B strep infection caused them permanent injury, such as:

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What compensation can I claim for injury from GBS infection negligence?

Each client’s compensation claim is carefully calculated to reflect their own injury and unique circumstances. Our clients’ compensation settlements are negotiated and structured to make the best provision to meet their lifelong needs. Compensation for cerebral palsy, brain injury or severe neurological disability arising from GBS negligence often includes payments for:

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Meet your specialist team

Our specialist Group B Strep (GBS) negligence team are considered leaders in the field and have a significant amount of expertise.
Susan Brown photo

Susan Brown

Partner

Julie Marsh headshot

Julie Marsh

Partner

Richard Money-Kyrle headshot

Richard Money-Kyrle

Partner

Sita Soni headshot

Sita Soni

Senior Associate - solicitor

Vanessa Wand photo

Vanessa Wand

Senior associate - solicitor

Rachel Makore headshot

Rachel Makore

Associate - solicitor

Tara Pileggi-Byrne photo

Tara Pileggi-Byrne

Associate - Solicitor

Alpa Rana headshot

Alpa Rana

Associate - solicitor

Fran Rothwell

Fran Rothwell

Associate solicitor

Ben Ireland headshot

Ben Ireland

Solicitor

Alice Carley headshot

Alice Carley

Paralegal

Audrey Elmore headshot

Audrey Elmore

Medical records coordinator

Nicky Melville headshot

Nicky Melville

Professional support assistant

Susan Brown photo
Julie Marsh headshot
Richard Money-Kyrle headshot
Sita Soni headshot
Vanessa Wand photo
Rachel Makore headshot
Tara Pileggi-Byrne photo
Alpa Rana headshot
Fran Rothwell
Ben Ireland headshot
Alice Carley headshot
Audrey Elmore headshot
Nicky Melville headshot

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Our medical negligence and personal injury teams have been nationally recognised for over 20 years because of their expertise, empathy and commitment to securing maximum compensation for our clients.

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What our clients say

"Amazing support"

Fran has been an amazing support through a very difficult time for me and my family. Always available to speak and kept me in the loop with anything happening, she has been so kind, and I thank her so much for helping and getting my mum the justice she deserved.

Ms Alison

"Honest, approachable and truly empathetic"

What has to be some of the most testing horrible times was dealt with in a dignified, honest, approachable and truly empathetic manner. I could not begin to do Susan justice for her handling of our case.

Boyes Turner Client

"they kept us fully informed "

I approached Boyes Turner after my claim was turned down by one of the Medical Negligence Claim company. My wife was a victim of medical negligence.

Boyes Turner have acted so efficiently on our behalf and was able to win our case. Anytime we contact them, their customer service was very good as they kept us fully informed of every level our case has developed. They are very friendly and approachable and great in their professional advise. I would strongly recommend anyone approach them for their legal and medical negligence services.

Boyes Turner Client

"Thoroughly professional, knowledgable and approachable"

Thoroughly professional, knowledgable and approachable with communication and updates as and when needed, in what can be a drawn out process, I was always comfortable asking questions and always received answers which were clear and understandable. Highly recommend

Boyes Turner Client

"Amazing professional firm"

I came to Boyes Turner desperate after searching the web for a firm to use for my sons case. He was only a few months so my mind was all over the place, but from the very first point of contact I felt a sense of relieve and belonging. I was welcomed and looked after by amazing staff who always communicated everything so well and went the extra mile to explain things and ensure I understood what was happening every step of the way (THANK YOU SUSAN BROWN). Susan was amazing I felt like I not only had a solicitor but someone who understood my emotions as a mother and always handled me with so much compassion and that was all I needed to keep me going for the 6 years of the case. Years went by in a breeze because of how professional Boyes Turner was. I am so greatful I went through it all with them and mananged to get my son a good compensation. We look forward our new life where my sons needs are priority after struggling for so long. Thank you Boyes Turner and thank you Susan Brown. My family and I are ever indebted.

Boyes Turner Client
Rated Excellent 4.8/5