Compensation for pregnancy and birth injuries

Pregnancy and birth Injuries can happen to either the mother or child before, during or after the delivery of the baby. Birth injuries can be life-changing and often very traumatic for the injured person and their family.

The different types of injuries that can be sustained include:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Erb’s palsy
  • Stillbirth
  • Injuries to the baby whilst in the Neonatal Unit
  • Neonatal death
  • Damage to the mother’s pelvic area, bowel or bladder
  • Maternal death

When birth injuries occur, the causes can often be as a result of:

  • A failure to provide the mother with adequate antenatal screening and care
  • A failure to diagnose pre-eclampsia
  • An inappropriate use of forceps or ventouse resulting in damage to the baby or the mother
  • The baby’s shoulder becoming stuck (shoulder dystocia) causing injury to the baby’s brachial plexus
  • Delays in delivery causing the baby to be deprived of oxygen
  • A failure to diagnose or treat low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in the baby
  • A failure to diagnose or treat jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus) in the baby

How we can help with birth injury claims

At Nelsons, our experienced team of medical negligence solicitors investigate and successfully pursue birth injury claims for children and mothers injured during childbirth.

Birth Injury ClaimsOur expert team is recognised by The Law Society, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), Headway, the Spinal Injuries Association, The Foundation for Infant Loss Training, Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 for our work involving injured babies and children. We are one of a few specialist firms who are still able to offer Legal Aid in cases involving babies.

We have clients based all over the country and we are always happy to visit clients in hospital or in their own homes.

We instruct the most experienced independent medical experts, who will review your medical records and comment on the standard of care that you received and whether this was negligent causing you injury. We use highly experienced barristers who we may instruct to work with us on your claim.

When it comes to valuing your claim we often instruct a number of independent experts who will comment on the nature and extent of your injuries, your future prognosis and your short and long-term needs.

Often in these cases the Court will order that the injured person should receive a lump sum payment of compensation plus an amount each year (periodical payments) for the rest of their life, to ensure that their on-going needs are met.

We have achieved what was believed at the time to be (and may still be) the highest award of periodical payments ever to be made by the NHS Litigation Authority to an injured patient in one such case.

Making a birth injury claim

Our team of specialist solicitors are always available to discuss the circumstances of your potential claim either over the phone, via email or where appropriate at a meeting.

We offer:

  • No win, no fee services
  • Legal aid in some cases
  • A friendly team of experts

To find out more about pregnancy and birth injury claims, please contact us to discuss how our medical negligence solicitors in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham can help you. For a quick response to your enquiry, call us now or use our online chat.

  • "Nelsons Solicitors Limited's 'excellent' team provides 'a first-class service for claimants'. The 'highly specialised and dedicated' group is noted for its particular expertise in the more serious cases, such as birth, brain and spinal injuries. Multi-party actions are an area of particular strength, as is inquest-related litigation."

    Legal 500

  • "What can I say except thank you so much for everything. You took a chance on our case when no one else would and that made all the difference in the world to us. I feel that we got as much justice as possible."

    Client Feedback

  • "You have worked hard on my behalf, and I've come to regard you as a friend over the last year or so. Whatever you advise will be fine by me. I hope you know that I am very pleasantly surprised by what you've achieved for me."

    Client Feedback

  • "You have done a fantastic job.”

    Client Feedback

  • "...The team is knowledgeable about a broad range of severe and catastrophic injuries on both the personal injury and clinical negligence fronts, including spinal and orthopaedic injuries. Multi-party actions and inquest-related litigation are also areas where the group demonstrates a proven track record..."

    Legal 500

  • "Thank you for all the help and support you have given in our darkest time and help to get justice for our daughter."

    Client Feedback

  • “Although it has been a long drawn-out battle, your steadfast belief and guidance throughout has resulted in a successful outcome for us all.”

    Client Feedback

  • “I was very satisfied with all the legal advice given and the way my case was handled.”

    Client Feedback

  • "The staff have been amazing at Nelsons the whole way through the process, making a difficult process an easy one. Thank you!"

    Client Feedback

  • “Noteworthy team of clinical negligence practitioners with a proven track record in handling diverse and complicated mandates. Possesses particular experience in birth and spinal injuries with further skill in inquests and human rights issues.”

    Chambers & Partners

Find out how Nelsons can help you. Contact our friendly team for a guaranteed fast response.

For advice and support 0800 024 1976
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