Birth injuries to mother compensation claims
Experiencing a birth injury can be devastating for the whole family. If your injury was caused by substandard maternity care, you could be entitled to make a claim. Our specialist birth injury solicitors are here to listen, guide you, and fight for the outcome you deserve.
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Can I make a birth injury to mother compensation claim?
When poor maternity care leads to a preventable birth injury, every mother should have the opportunity to pursue a birth injury claim. Birth injuries to the mother compensation claims can be made if you suffered an avoidable injury during pregnancy, labour, or after giving birth because of negligent care.
Substandard care during maternity care can be extremely traumatic for mothers, and this should never be accepted as normal practice. Failures within UK maternity services continue to leave mothers at risk of preventable birth injuries that can occur during the antenatal , labour and post-partum stage.
Every mother has the right to safe, high-quality care, and when that care falls short, they have the right to seek justice. By ensuring that every woman is truly listened to, equipped with accurate information, with the freedom to make informed choices, we can improve trust within maternity care and protect their rights.
This is not a complete list – if you suffered an injury that you believe could have been prevented, it’s worth speaking to us. In most cases you have three years from the date of your injury to make a claim, but there are exceptions. Get in touch and we’ll tell you whether you have a claim.
Example of a birth injury to mother claim
Imagine a mother who undergoes an assisted delivery using forceps. The mother suffers a third-degree tear, and the suturing afterwards breaks down, leading to infection and chronic pain. If we find that the care fell below acceptable clinical standards and caused further harm, this could be an example of a valid birth injury to mother compensation claim.
Common birth injury to mother claims we support
Expertise you can trust
- 9/10 clients would recommend us
- AVMA Panel Members
- Securing interim payments to ensure early access to support
What compensation can help with
Recovering lost income and covering future care.
When mothers experience trauma during negligent maternity care, they can suffer both physical and psychological injuries that can be long-lasting. Injuries sustained during pregnancy, labour, delivery, and the post-partum period can cause lasting physical and psychological harm – and when this is the case, it can be useful to seek specialist legal support and guidance.
A successful birth injuries to mother compensation claim can help fund:
- Surgery to repair perineal tears, tissue damage, or other physical injuries
- Physiotherapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation
- Psychological therapy and counselling for birth trauma, PTSD or postnatal depression
- Ongoing care and pain management
- Loss of earnings – both during recovery and any future impact on your ability to work
- Additional childcare costs for during your recovery
- Travel and transport costs related to treatment and appointments
Understanding the potential value
We secured a six-figure settlement for Mrs Thompson after she experienced negligent postnatal care. The settlement recognised the significant impact her injuries had on her family life, wellbeing and career, and included compensation for the loss of future earnings, pension and career opportunities. No two claims are the same. The value of a birth injury to mother claim depends on the severity of your injury, the extent of harm caused, the impact on your ability to work, and the level of ongoing care and support you need.
Understanding avoidable injuries
Some mothers who experience birth injuries, such as emergency interventions for foetal distress, find that these are unavoidable, even with appropriate medical care. However, many injuries to mothers arise from medical negligence and can often be prevented.
Common scenarios that might lead to avoidable birth injury include:
Failures in monitoring either the mother or foetus during pregnancy, labour and delivery
Mismanagement of labour, delivery and antenatal care
Inappropriate use of medical interventions
When these preventable types of birth injuries occur, they can affect your physical health and emotional well-being over the long term. If you’ve experienced such negligence, you may have the right to claim birth injury compensation.
Why choose Fletchers for your birth injury to mother claim?
Birth injuries can cause lasting physical and psychological harm - and when this happens, it's important to seek specialist legal support and guidance. Our birth injury team combines deep specialist expertise with genuine care, so that every mother we represent feels heard, supported, and confident throughout the process.
Expertise you can rely on
- Specialist birth injury solicitors with dedicated expertise in maternal harm, including complex obstetric and post-partum cases
- Recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for outstanding work in birth injury litigation
- Experience handling the full range of maternal birth injuries, from episiotomy and OASI to pre-eclampsia, PPH, epidural complications, and psychological trauma
- Proven track record of securing substantial settlements for our clients
- Connected with specialist support organisations, including the Birth Trauma Association and the PANDAS Foundation UK
- Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we’ve supported
- All claims handled on a No Win, No Fee basis – so you can pursue your claim without financial risk
You're not alone
We understand what you’re going through.
A birth injury doesn’t just leave a physical impact. It can change your relationship with your body, affect your ability to bond with your baby, and leave you feeling grief at a time when you expected to feel joy. Many of the women we support describe feeling lost in the early weeks. They’re often exhausted and unsure whether their injury could’ve been prevented.
With a dedicated team of solicitors handling birth injuries to mother cases, we offer specialist care and extensive experience in these complex cases. We promise that your claim is in the safest hands. We understand that these cases must be handled with sensitivity and empathy. Our goal is to help affected mothers regain confidence and access the support they need to move forward after their birth injury.
Beyond legal guidance, we can connect you with additional support resources to help you cope with birth trauma. These include support groups and therapeutic services, such as the Birth Trauma Association and the PANDAS Foundation UK. We can also provide information on treatments like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and occupational therapy, which may be accessible through a referral from your doctor or private treatment if needed.
FAQs about birth injuries to mother claims
How long do I have to make a birth injury to mother claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the incident to bring a claim – or three years from the date you first became aware that negligence may have caused your injury. We understand that taking the first step can feel overwhelming. But acting sooner means that evidence can be gathered while details are still fresh, which gives your claim the strongest possible foundation. If you’re unsure whether you’re still within the time limit, speak to us and we will advise you.
What evidence is needed for a birth injury to mother compensation claim?
To succeed in a claim, we’ll need to show that your medical team breached their duty of care and that this breach caused your injury. The key evidence in a birth injury claim typically includes your full maternity and medical records, an independent expert opinion from a specialist in obstetrics or the relevant field, and any records of treatment you received or continue to need as a result of your injury. You don’t need to gather this yourself – your solicitor will gather the records and contact the appropriate experts on your behalf.
Will making a claim affect my ongoing medical care?
No. Making a compensation claim will not compromise your future access to NHS care. You’ll continue to be entitled to the same standard of care as any other patient.
Can I claim for psychological trauma following birth?
Yes. If you experienced a traumatic birth as a result of negligent care and this caused psychological harm – such as PTSD, postnatal depression, or anxiety,you may be entitled to claim. Birth trauma is a medically recognised condition, and its impact on a mother’s life can be profound. A successful claim can include compensation for psychological injury alongside any physical harm.
What if I’m not sure whether negligence caused my birth injury?
Many mothers feel uncertain about this, particularly in the aftermath of a difficult birth. It is your solicitor’s role – not yours – to investigate and prove whether negligence occurred. All you need to do is share your experience with us. We’ll review the circumstances, obtain your medical records, and advise you honestly on whether you have a claim.
Can I claim if the injury was partly my fault?
Each case is assessed on its own facts. In some situations, a concept known as contributory negligence – which means you were partly at fault – may be relevant. If there was contributory negligence, it doesn’t mean you can’t make a claim. But it could affect the level of compensation awarded. Speak to one of our solicitors and we’ll talk through the circumstances of your case.
Will I need to go to court?
It’s very unlikely. Fewer than 1% of clinical negligence claims go to court. Our solicitors manage the entire claims process on your behalf, and the vast majority of cases are resolved through negotiation and settlement.
How is birth injury to mother compensation calculated?
Compensation is calculated based on the physical, psychological, and emotional impact of your injury, as well as the practical financial consequences – including lost earnings, the cost of treatment and rehabilitation, future care needs, and any other expenses caused by the negligence. Every case is different, and the amount awarded will reflect the severity and long-term effects of your specific injuries.
How much does it cost to make a claim?
We handle all birth injury to mother compensation claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means you can pursue your claim without any financial risk. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t be charged for our work. We’ll explain the funding arrangements clearly before you start your claim.
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With offices across the UK, we’re never too far away, helping people access specialist advice and support wherever they are.
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Start your claim with confidence
Not sure where to start? We’ll listen, guide you, and give clear, honest advice on what to do next.