Birth Injuries

We Listen, We Care — And We’re Here to Help

You are not alone. If something went wrong during childbirth and you or your baby were injured as a result, we’re here to listen and help you move forward. We know how distressing it can be to face unanswered questions — especially when it affects your child’s future or your own long-term health. At CEL Solicitors, we specialise in sensitive, complex claims involving birth injuries. Our team takes the time to understand your story, and we’ll support you every step of the way. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront, and if you win, our fees come out of your compensation. We’re here to get your family the support it needs.

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What Is a Birth Injury Claim?

A birth injury claim allows you to seek compensation if you or your baby were harmed due to mistakes or poor care during pregnancy, labour, or delivery. This might include delays in treatment, missed warning signs, or the incorrect use of medical equipment.

These injuries can have serious and lasting effects. Children may be left with conditions such as cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy. Mothers may also experience long-term physical or emotional complications.

If a medical professional failed in their duty of care and caused you or your child harm, you may have the right to make a claim. Compensation can help cover the cost of treatment, support services, loss of earnings and future care needs.

Time limits for making a claim are as follows:

For adults, a claim must usually be made within three years of the injury or from the date you first became aware of possible negligence.
For children, a claim can usually be brought at any point up until their 21st birthday. If a child’s injury means they’ll never be able to manage their own legal affairs, there may be no time limit at all..

It’s always best to seek advice as soon as possible. The earlier a claim is started, the easier it can be to gather the right evidence and build a strong case.

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What Causes Birth Injuries?

Birth injuries can happen when something goes wrong before, during or shortly after delivery. In some cases, these injuries are caused by medical negligence — when healthcare professionals fail to provide safe and appropriate care.

Common causes of birth injuries include:

Failure to monitor the baby’s heart rate or vital signs properly

Delayed decision-making around emergency interventions such as caesarean sections

Misuse of delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors

Oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain during delivery

Mishandling the baby during birth, leading to broken bones or nerve damage

Failure to treat maternal infections or blood clotting disorders

Poor management of high-risk pregnancies

These errors can result in serious, lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy, as well as other physical or developmental complications.

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How a Birth Injury Claim Can Help

Making a claim isn’t just about financial compensation. It’s about getting the support your family needs to move forward — whether that means access to medical care, home adjustments, or long-term planning for your child’s future. A successful birth injury claim can help with:

Care and Rehabilitation

Funds can support vital services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling, and personal care that may not be fully provided by the NHS.

Loss of Earnings

If you or your partner have had to take time off work to care for your child or recover from injuries, a claim can help replace lost income.

Home and Mobility Support

You may be able to claim for adaptations to your home or vehicle, along with mobility aids and equipment to improve daily life.

Pain and Suffering

Compensation also reflects the physical and emotional impact the injury has on you, your child, and your family.

Our goal is to help you access the care and support you need now and for the future, so you can focus on your family’s wellbeing.

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How to Make a Birth Injury Claim

Bringing a birth injury claim can feel daunting, but we’re here to make it as straightforward as possible.
Here’s what to expect:

Seek Medical Attention

Make sure your child and you receive all necessary medical care. Keep detailed records of diagnoses, treatments, and any ongoing health concerns.

Gather Evidence

Collect important documents such as medical records, birth reports, and any correspondence with healthcare providers. Witness statements may also support your case.

Contact our team

At CEL Solicitors, our medical negligence team has extensive experience in birth injury claims. We offer a free initial consultation to assess your case and explain your options clearly.

Starting Your Claim

If you decide to proceed, we’ll help prepare and file all the necessary legal documents. We will carefully detail how the injury occurred and its impact on your family.

Negotiation and Settlement

Most claims settle out of court. We’ll negotiate on your behalf to get fair compensation from the healthcare provider or their insurers.

Court Proceedings

If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’ll guide you through court proceedings. We will instruct experienced barristers to represent you and fight for your rights.

We’ve already helped thousands of people across the UK.

Speak to our friendly team today. You are not alone, and you may have a case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions, answered.

What is classed as a birth injury?

A birth injury is any harm caused to a baby or mother during pregnancy, labour, or delivery. This can include physical injuries, brain damage, or complications from medical errors.

Do I need to make a formal complaint before making a medical negligence claim?

No, you don’t have to complain first, but it can help. Making a complaint is free. If you were treated by the NHS, you can use the NHS complaints process, and the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can help. If you’re not happy with the outcome, you can take it to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for free. A complaint can get you answers and an apology, but it won’t usually get you compensation. A legal claim can. If you’ve already complained, we’ll review the response.

How can I fund my medical negligence claim?

Most of our clients use a no-win, no-fee agreement. There’s nothing to pay upfront, and if you win, our fees come out of your compensation. We’ll explain exactly how much before you sign anything. You may also have legal expenses insurance, for example through your home insurance, so it’s worth checking.

How can I prove medical negligence?

To prove medical negligence, you need to show that the healthcare professional owed you a duty of care, failed in that duty, and that this failure caused you harm. You must also demonstrate that this harm led to physical injury, psychological trauma, or financial loss, such as lost earnings. Expert medical evidence is often required to support these claims.

What compensation will I receive for a medical negligence?

Compensation is made up of two parts. One is for the injury itself and its effect on your life. The other is for money you’ve lost or spent because of it, such as lost earnings, extra medical costs and care. We’ll need medical evidence before we can tell you what your claim may be worth.

What is medical negligence?

Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the expected standard of care, leading to harm. This can include incorrect or delayed diagnoses, inappropriate medication durations, or errors during medical procedures. If the care provided falls below the standard and results in worsening your condition or injury, it may constitute medical negligence.

What is the time limit to make a medical negligence claim?

Generally, you must start your claim within three years of the incident or from when you discovered the injury. For children, the three-year period begins when they turn 18. If the affected person lacks the capacity to make decisions, the limit starts when they regain that capacity. Claims under the Human Rights Act must be made within one year. Acting quickly is advisable to ensure evidence and witness recollections are preserved.

Can I make a birth injury claim if the injury happened years ago?

Possibly. For mothers, you usually have three years from the injury, or from when you first knew it may have been caused by negligence. For children, a claim can usually be made up until their 21st birthday. If the child’s injury means they’ll never be able to manage their own legal affairs, there may be no time limit at all. Please get in touch and we’ll check where you stand.

How long do medical negligence claims take?

It’s complicated, and every claim is different. Medical negligence claims often take longer than other injury claims, because we need expert medical evidence to show what went wrong and how it affected you. For claims against the NHS, the National Audit Office found it takes around 1.7 years on average from when a claim is made to when it’s resolved. More complex claims, such as serious birth injuries, can take longer. We’ll keep you updated at every stage.

Who will handle my claim?

Your case will be handled by our litigation team, made up of qualified solicitors, trainee solicitors and paralegals.