Since the 1970s, it is estimated around 20,000 babies have been born with disabilities as mothers, whilst pregnant, were prescribed sodium valproate. If this happened to you, you could be entitled to some interim financial compensation for the injuries sustained.
Fetal Anti Convulsant syndrome is the term for many different Epilepsy medications taken during pregnancy that have had an effect on the baby in utero. The drug, Sodium Valproate, is commonly known by brand names including Epilim, Episenta and Depakote. The epilepsy medications given to women whilst they were pregnant are known as teratogenic, which means they can harm a baby during pregnancy. Babies exposed to valproate whilst in the womb have a very high risk for congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders, including congenital heart defects, spina bifida, limb defects and autistic spectrum disorders.
Scientific papers from as early as the 1980s suggested valproate medicines were dangerous to developing babies, yet warnings about the potential effects were not added to some packaging until 2016.
What conditions were Sodium Valproate given for?
Sodium Valproate is an epilepsy medication which was prescribed for a variety of conditions, including:
Epilepsy
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Pain Relief
Migraine
Headaches
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Fetal Anti Convulsant syndrome is thought to arise because some of the medications taken to treat all the above pass through the placenta and into the developing foetus.
Am I able to make a Sodium Valproate claim?
If you were prescribed Sodium Valproate before and during pregnancy and you believe your child was negatively affected, you or your child may be able to make a claim.
Claims like this are often very complex and difficult to investigate, particularly when the medical negligence occurred many years ago. A specialist medical negligence solicitor can guide you through the process and ensure you’re supported throughout.
What is the Sodium Valproate redress scheme?
England's patient safety commissioner has said that families of children left disabled by Sodium Valproate should be given urgent financial help. They have called on the government to act quickly to help victims that had been prescribed the drug get the justice they deserve. This comes off the back of a review which found lives had been ruined because concerns about some treatments were not listened to. Ministers have now said they will consider and respond to the recommendations.
We can assist with assessing your individual case, advising on whether you are likely to have a claim and helping you to obtain an initial interim payment under the scheme (if you are eligible) whilst considering the appropriate next steps and investigation for your case. The government is yet to confirm how they will handle these cases but our legal expertise can help to navigate whatever comes next and whether the proposals are just and reasonable.
What is medical negligence?
Medical negligence, or clinical negligence, occurs when patients receive inadequate care from medical professionals, leading to the worsening of existing conditions or in some instances, the development of new ones. Despite patients expressing their concerns, medical negligence can still happen. In such cases, it may be possible to seek compensation.
Medical negligence claims can be intricate – they require knowledge of the medical conditions resulting from negligence, as well as the understanding of medical procedures and mistakes causing those conditions. Therefore, it’s crucial to engage a specialised medical negligence solicitor to represent you if you choose to make a claim.
How Slater and Gordon can help
Our expert medical negligence team know the importance of supporting you and your family through this most difficult time and will be sensitive to your needs and challenges. Several of our solicitors are also ranked in independent legal bodies, such as the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. We also work alongside trained midwives and nurses who use their expert knowledge to help with your case.
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim.
Ms S (medical negligence client)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help.
Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive.
Mr Q (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim. Ms S (medical negligence client)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help. Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive. Mr Q (medical negligence client)