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Birth injury claims

Problems during pregnancy, labour or childbirth can result in life-changing outcomes for mothers and babies. If you think something has gone wrong during your pregnancy, labour, or the delivery of your baby you may be able to claim compensation with the help of our birth injury solicitors.

Who can make a birth injury claim?

If medical negligence occurs during birth, there may be grounds for a clinical negligence claim by the mother and/or the child.

 

Claiming for birth injury compensation with Shoosmiths

If you or your child has suffered an injury during birth that you believe is because of negligent medical care by healthcare professionals, you may be eligible for birth injury compensation.

Birth injuries resulting from medical negligence can have long-lasting effects on the child, the mother, and the family. Potential outcomes of medical negligence for a baby include conditions such as:

These birth injuries, amongst others, can lead to developmental delays, chronic health conditions (such as seizures and respiratory conditions), behavioural issues and mental health disorders.

Mothers can also suffer birth injuries such as:

If you suspect medical negligence is the cause of such injuries, please seek advice from one of our medical negligence solicitors to explore the potential for a claim and to obtain advice on your options for seeking compensation and ensuring accountability.

  1. Contact uscall or message the team
  2. Grounds for claim – we will assess and discuss whether your claim is likely to succeed
  3. We come to you – we will visit you at home or in the hospital to talk you through the process
  4. Funding your claim – we can offer various funding options, including no win, no fee and legal aid, depending on the circumstances of your claim.
  5. Gathering evidence – we will obtain medical records, witness statements and expert evidence to support your claim and to calculate what compensation you might be entitled to.

 

Birth injury services

Cerebral palsy claims    Stillbirth claims    twin birth injury claims    Wrongful birth claims    Group b strep claims    Perineal tear claims    Maternity negligence claims

 

What medical negligence can cause birth injury?

Medical negligence as a result of the failure of healthcare professionals to provide the standard of care expected during pregnancy, labour, delivery, or immediately after birth, can occur in a number of ways. The types of medical negligence that can lead to birth injuries include:

Why choose Shoosmiths for your medical negligence claim

Choosing Shoosmiths Serious Injury team for your birth injury claim offers several advantages:

  • Expertise: Ranked top tier in leading legal directories, and listed among The Times Best Law Firms for Clinical Negligence in 2024, we have substantial expertise in handling birth injury claims and other clinical negligence cases. Our team includes specialists who understand the complexities of these claims and can navigate the legal process effectively.
  • Compassionate approach: We are known for being approachable, helpful, and caring, ensuring that clients feel supported throughout the legal process.
  • Successful track record: Our serious injury team has a history of successfully recovering compensation for clients in birth injury cases, providing families with the necessary support and resources to care for a child with special needs.
  • Comprehensive support: We offer a thorough and professional service, involving a wide range of experts to ensure all aspects of the claim are covered, from medical assessments to financial planning.
  • Client-centred service: We are committed to handling claims with sensitivity and determination, making a stressful time a little more manageable for our clients.

 

We come to you

We understand this may be a difficult and challenging time for you and your family. We can talk you through the process at your own pace. We listen. Indeed, our first visit may just involve a chat and a cup of tea.

Medical negligence experts

Ranked top tier in leading legal directories and awarded Law Firm of the Year 2022, we have over 165 years of experience in advising people and businesses.

People first, lawyers second

Shoosmiths' experts are on your side – our lawyers are caring, fearless and treasure the values of openness and honesty.

About Shoosmiths

Birth injury client stories

Our birth injury experts

Meet our experts

Kashmir Uppal

Kashmir Uppal

Partner

Kashmir Uppal

Award winning medical negligence lawyer Kashmir is tireless in her pursuit of accountability. Contact Kashmir today.

Denise Stephens

Denise Stephens

Partner

Denise Stephens

Denise is a passionate, highly skilled medical negligence lawyer with a heart of gold. She cares genuinely about getting you justice so tell Denise your story.

Louise Tyler

Louise Tyler

Legal Director

Louise Tyler

Louise is a medical negligence solicitor who, in a 30-year career, has built a reputation for excellence in delivering what matters to clients.

What our clients say

Birth injury claim FAQs

  • What is a birth injury claim?

    A birth injury compensation claim is a legal process through which families can seek financial compensation for injuries sustained by a newborn, or the mother, during childbirth.

    These injuries can result from medical negligence or errors made by healthcare professionals, ranging from the improper use of medical instruments to the failure to monitor the baby’s vital signs, or a delayed response to that complication. The aim of compensation is to cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and other related costs to support the child’s wellbeing and development. Pursuing a birth injury claim can help families secure the necessary resources to provide the best possible care for their child now and in the future.

  • What is a birth injury?

    A birth injury refers to any harm or damage sustained by a newborn, or mother, during the process of childbirth. These injuries can range from minor bruises or fractures to more severe conditions like:

    • Cerebral palsy
    • Nerve damage
    • Brain injuries

    Birth injuries to the mother can include:

    • Tearing
    • Uterine rupture
    • Bladder and bowel injuries
    • Haemorrhage
    • Psychological trauma

    Birth injuries are caused by several things, including prolonged labour, the baby’s size or position, or complications during delivery. In some cases, it’s unfortunately medical errors or negligence by healthcare professionals can also lead to birth injuries. The impact of these injuries can vary, with some requiring immediate medical attention and others necessitating long-term care and support.

  • What can cause birth injuries?

    Birth injuries can occur naturally because of unforeseen complications/pre-existing medical conditions, or as a result of medical negligence. Medical negligence that can result in birth injuries includes:

    • Improper use of delivery tools
    • Failure to perform timely C-section
    • Excessive force during delivery
    • Delayed medical intervention leading to prolonged/difficult labour
    • Undiagnosed/untreated infection
  • How do I make a birth injury claim?

    We understand that as well as being worried that something has gone wrong during the birth of your child, you may be in pain, and you may be upset and confused. To put you at ease, a member of our experienced team will talk to you about your concerns and advise on what steps can be taken. They will also discuss with you how your claim can be funded.

    To talk to us about making a claim:

    Call us on 03700 868687

    OR

    Message us using our enquiry form and we will get in touch.

    We will be with you throughout the legal process, visiting you in person to help you find out what has happened and to claim compensation for you and your family if there has been medical negligence.

  • Can we help with NHS Early Notification Scheme claims?

    Introduced by the NHS in 2017, the Early Notification Scheme (ENS) aims to identify instances where there may have been substandard maternity care resulting in a baby suffering a potential brain injury. We have a team of specialist lawyers, with extensive experience in representing children and families who have suffered birth injuries, who can support you/advise on ENS claims.

    Read more about the NHS Early Notification Scheme.

  • Can I get legal aid funding for a birth injury claim?

    Legal aid can help cover the costs of pursuing a compensation claim if you or your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence. When we speak to you, we will be able to assess whether you will be eligible for legal aid. If you are not eligible then we can advise you about other methods of funding, including no win, no fee agreements.

    Talk to one of our medical negligence lawyers to find out if you qualify for legal aid.

  • Can I make a claim on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis?

    Yes, you can make a birth injury claim on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. This type of arrangement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), means that you will only need to pay legal fees if your claim is successful. If your claim is not successful, you won’t owe any legal fees, which removes the financial risk associated with making a claim.

    We will discuss the details of the ‘no win, no fee’ agreement with when we take your case so help you fully understand the terms and any potential costs involved.

  • How long does it take to settle a birth injury compensation claim?

    The time it takes to settle a birth injury compensation claim can vary widely depending on:

    • Complexity of the case: More complex cases, especially those involving severe injuries can take longer to resolve.
    • Evidence gathering: The time needed to collect medical records, expert opinions, and other evidence can impact the duration of the claim.
    • Defendant’s response: If the healthcare provider admits liability, the process can be quicker. However, if they contest the claim, it may take longer and could potentially go to court.
    • Negotiation and settlement: The majority of claims are settled out of court through negotiations, which can speed up the process.
    • Court proceedings: If it is necessary to start court proceedings, it can take several years to reach a conclusion. However, there are still opportunities to settle the claim throughout that process.

    Once a settlement is agreed, you can expect to receive your compensation within a few weeks.

    Each case is unique; speak to one of our specialist solicitors who can provide a more accurate timeline based on the specifics of your situation.

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Who we work with

  • Brain Injury Group
  • Child Brain Injury Trust
  • Headway
  • SIA
  • Back Up
  • Macmillan
  • Danielles Flutterbyes
  • Forces
  • Bens Heroes Trust

Our accreditations

  • Accredited Personal Injury
  • Apil
  • Ama
  • Clinical Negligence
  • Legal 500
  • UK Chambers
  • The Society Of Clinical Injury Lawyers