Birth Injury Solicitors in Leicester

What constitutes a birth injury claim?

During pregnancy and childbirth, there is an expected standard of care that medical professionals must provide. Families are entitled to rely on that care being safe and appropriate. Where that standard may not have been met, and harm is caused to a baby, a mother, or both, this can form the basis of a birth injury claim.
Our team supports a wide range of birth injury claims in Leicester, including those involving serious and long-term conditions.

Injuries affecting babies can include:

• Cerebral palsy
• Erb’s palsy
• Brain injuries linked to a lack of oxygen
• Spinal damage
• Sight or hearing problems caused by delayed treatment, such as untreated jaundice

Some of these injuries happen during delivery itself, often referred to as birth trauma. This can involve fractures, nerve damage or soft tissue injuries. We also support families in the most serious situations, including stillbirth, neonatal death and fatal birth injury claims.

Birth injury claims can also focus on harm caused to the mother. This may involve complications during pregnancy or childbirth, where there are concerns about the care provided, including:

• Damage to the pelvic area, bowel or bladder
• Complications following a caesarean section
• Severe perineal tears
• Conditions that were not properly identified or treated, such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes

In some cases, complications arise after birth, such as a retained placenta. If not identified and treated promptly, this can lead to serious health risks. In these situations, we look closely at what happened and whether the care provided fell short of what is expected.

When negligent care during labour causes harm

Many birth injuries can be traced back to how medical treatment was handled during labour and delivery. Healthcare professionals are expected to follow established standards, and when those standards are not met, it increases the risk of avoidable harm to both mother and baby.

Examples of this can include missed or inadequate checks during pregnancy, not acting on signs that a baby is in distress, or delays in making decisions about delivery. There can also be problems linked to assisted births, where tools like forceps or ventouse are not used appropriately.

In some situations, complications arise that require careful and timely management. This may involve difficulties such as shoulder dystocia during birth, or medical conditions in newborns that are not identified or treated quickly enough, including low blood sugar or jaundice.

When these situations are reviewed, the focus is on developing a clear understanding of what happened. This involves examining medical notes in detail and seeking input from independent specialists to assess whether the treatment provided met the level that would reasonably be expected.

When to take legal action for a birth injury in Leicester

Deciding to take legal action is often about more than money. It’s about getting answers and understanding what really happened, and whether it could have been avoided. It can also be an important step in making sure the right care and support are in place for your family moving forward, especially where a birth injury has lasting effects on daily life.

A successful claim can provide the financial support needed to help meet any ongoing care requirements. This may include the cost of rehabilitation, medical treatment, specialist equipment, and everyday living expenses linked to the injury. It can also make it possible to put practical support in place, such as:

• making changes to a home to improve accessibility
• paying for private therapy or treatment
• obtaining specialist equipment
• moving to accommodation better suited to long-term needs
• arranging ongoing care and support

When you speak with our birth injury solicitors in Leicester, we’ll talk you through what the process involves and what kind of support may be available based on your circumstances.

What’s more, in some cases, financial support doesn’t have to wait until the claim is fully resolved. Interim payments can sometimes be secured earlier, helping to cover any urgent costs such as treatment, care, or home adjustments while your case is still ongoing.

For more complex or serious injuries, compensation may be structured to include both an initial payment and regular ongoing payments, helping to provide long-term financial stability and support.

Who is able to make a birth injury claim?

In situations where a baby has been harmed during pregnancy, labour or delivery, a claim can be brought by a parent or legal guardian on behalf of the child if they are under the age of 18. If no claim is made during that time, the child may have the option to pursue it themselves once they reach adulthood, typically up to age 21. If a baby has sadly passed away, the timeframe to bring a claim is generally three years from the date of death.

When the injury relates to the mother, a three-year time limit usually applies. This doesn’t always run from the exact date of the injury. In some cases, it can begin from the point at which it becomes apparent that the harm caused may be linked to the care received, and this scenario is often referred to as the “date of knowledge”.

We know that worrying about time limits can add to the stress you are already experiencing, but you don’t need to have everything figured out immediately. A quick conversation with one of our birth injury solicitors in Leicester can help you see how these rules apply to your situation and what options you have if you want to move forward.

Paying for a claim and the support available

Worries about cost are often among the first things families consider, especially when there are already extra financial pressures to manage. We can look at funding through a no win, no fee arrangement where it’s suitable. At the outset, we’ll talk you through the options, so you have a clear understanding of what’s available and can make a decision that feels comfortable for you.

Birth injury cases can be complex and may take time to resolve, but you won’t be left to handle things on your own. We handle the legal aspects of the claim while keeping you informed as things progress, explaining each step in a straightforward, accessible way.

Everyone approaches the process differently. Some people prefer to leave everything to our medical negligence experts, while others want to stay more involved along the way. We’ll adapt to what works best for you, with a focus on making sure you feel supported and aware of what’s happening throughout.

Why choose Nelsons for birth injury claims in Leicester

When you’re dealing with the impact of a birth injury, having the right support in place can make a difference. Our birth injury lawyers​ in Leicester have extensive experience handling complex birth injury cases involving both mothers and babies, and we’re recognised across the region for our work in this area.

We’re members of organisations including The Law Society, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), Headway and The Foundation for Infant Loss Training. Our work is also commended by directories such as The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.

Our Leicester office is located at Provincial House, 37 New Walk, LE1 6TU, which is central, easy-to-reach and a short distance from the city centre. Whether you’re travelling on foot, by car or via public transport, getting here is straightforward.

If you’d prefer to talk through your situation first, you can get in touch with our team right here on our website. Speaking to a birth injury lawyer in Leicester can help you understand the options available to you, so you can make a more informed decision on how to move forward. You can give us a call on 0800 024 1976 or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a confidential, no-obligation discussion.