Group B Strep claims

If your baby was harmed because of failings in the diagnosis or treatment of Group B Strep, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim. Our specialist birth injury solicitors are here to guide you and your family through every stage of the process.

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Author

Sahida Patel

Partner, Birth Injury Team Lead

Reviewer

Trevor Ward

Partner Solicitor, Head of Birth Injury Unit

Last Updated

14th July 2026

Can I make a Group B Strep claim?

Group B Strep (GBS) claims can be made if you or your child were harmed because of someone else’s negligence. Group B Strep can have life-changing consequences for babies and families. If harm was caused by mistakes in your medical care, you have the right to seek answers and compensation.

You may be able to make a Group B Strep negligence claim if a GBS infection was missed, diagnosed too late, or not treated properly. You may be eligible to claim if there was a failure to follow established clinical guidelines. For example, you weren’t offered antibiotics during labour when a known GBS infection was present. Depending on the circumstances, both the mother and child may be entitled to bring a Group B Strep claim

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligence – or from the date you became aware of it – to start a claim. For claims involving children, this three-year period begins on the child’s 18th birthday, so the deadline is typically their 21st birthday. If you’re not sure whether you qualify for a Group B Strep claim, it’s worth speaking to us. We’ll tell you honestly whether you have a valid claim.

Example of a Group B Strep claim

Imagine a mother is found to be carrying GBS during pregnancy, but medical staff fail to offer antibiotics during labour, as recommended by clinical guidelines. Her baby is born and quickly develops signs of GBS infection, including a high temperature, rapid breathing and poor feeding, but a diagnosis is delayed. If healthcare professionals failed to act promptly on a known GBS risk, this could be a valid Group B Strep negligence claim.

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Interim payments to ensure early access to support

What compensation can help with

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Recovering lost income and covering future care.

GBS compensation isn’t simply about acknowledging what went wrong. It’s about making sure you can get the care, treatment and support you and your child need, now and in the future.

A successful Group B Strep claim can help fund:

Rehabilitation and ongoing therapy, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Specialist medical treatment and neurological care
Adaptations to your home or alternative accommodation
Long-term care and support services
Specialist equipment and mobility aids
Loss of earnings for parents or carers who have had to reduce or stop work
Travel expenses related to treatment and appointments
Psychological support and counselling for the child and family

Understanding the potential value

We secured a seven-figure settlement for a young boy, which means he will receive lifelong support and care. The compensation will give his family the reassurance that he will always have access to the care, therapies, accommodation, and equipment he needs. The value of your Group B Strep claim depends on the severity of the harm, and any financial losses suffered by the family.

Understanding interim payments

We understand that the costs of caring for a seriously injured child can be overwhelming. If possible, we’ll secure interim payments on your behalf. Interim payments are there to help cover urgent expenses such as specialist therapy, equipment or home adaptations. This means you can access the support your child needs without having to wait until the end of the claim.

Specialist Group B Strep solicitors

Our birth injury team has extensive experience in Group B Strep negligence claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your Group B Strep claim?

When medical professionals fail to identify or properly treat a Group B Strep infection, the consequences can be life-changing. Having a trusted partner, like Fletchers on your side ensures you’re not alone in seeking justice. Our specialist birth injury solicitors combine legal expertise with genuine compassion - so you and your family feel supported from the very first conversation, right through to the outcome of your claim.

Expertise you can rely on

One of the largest and most respected teams of birth injury lawyers in the UK, with decades of combined experience in GBS claims
Recognised by The Times as one of the UK’s top law firms, with top rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers UK
Over 30 years supporting families through complex birth injury fletc cases
Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot No win, no fee – so you can start your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you and your family are going through.

We understand the impact Group B Strep can have on a family and have supported many parents just like you. We understand that when a baby is harmed or lost because of a preventable infection, the impact on a family is profound. The immediate shock, the fear for your child’s future, the questions about what went wrong and whether it could’ve been avoided. These are things no parent should have to face alone.

We also understand the financial challenges of caring for a child with long-term injuries. Therapy costs, specialist equipment, adaptations to your home, and the need for one parent to reduce or stop work altogether. These pressures can build quickly at a time when your focus should be on your child and family.

We’ve supported many families in this situation. Feeling exhausted, uncertain, and unsure where to turn. In these moments, families need someone to listen, to explain things clearly, and to take on the responsibility of moving their claim forward. We’ll manage every stage of the claim, keep you updated along the way, and work to achieve an outcome that properly reflects the impact on your child and your family.

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FAQs about Group B Strep claims

What is Group B Strep?

Group B streptococcal infection – commonly known as Group B Strep or GBS – is an infection caused by a type of bacteria commonly found in the body, in the vagina or rectum. While GBS is generally harmless in healthy adults, if a woman is pregnant and carries GBS, the infection can be passed from mother to baby during delivery.

Although the chances of a baby developing a GBS infection are relatively small, in some cases, if left untreated, GBS can lead to severe complications in newborns, including sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. In the most serious cases, it can be fatal.

What are the signs of Group B Strep in newborn babies?

Parents and carers should seek urgent medical attention if their baby displays any of the following signs, which may indicate a GBS infection:

Unusual behaviour, such as persistent inconsolable crying or listlessness
Appearing unusually floppy
Being very sleepy or unresponsive
Trouble feeding or suddenly stopping tolerating feeds
An abnormal temperature (lower than 36°C or higher than 38°C)
Rapid breathing
A change in skin colour
Low blood pressure
Low blood sugar

Prompt diagnosis and treatment is key. If medical staff fail to investigate symptoms and act quickly, this could form part of a negligence claim.

What are the signs of Group B Strep in expecting mothers?

Most pregnant women who carry Group B Streptococcus won’t experience any symptoms. However, in some cases, the infection can cause serious health complications for the mother, including:

Sepsis
Urinary tract infections
Pneumonia
Skin or soft tissue infections
Bone or joint infections

If a pregnant woman shows signs of infection, medical staff should carry out appropriate tests, including screening for GBS, to determine the cause.

Although routine testing for GBS isn’t currently offered by the NHS, failing to investigate clear symptoms of infection could be considered a breach of duty if it leads to harm. Prompt diagnosis is key to protecting the health of both mother and baby.

What is the time limit for making a Group B Strep claim?

In most cases of clinical negligence, there’s a three-year time limit for starting a claim, either from the date the negligence happened or from the date you became aware of it – whichever is later.

For claims involving children, this three-year period begins on the child’s 18th birthday, meaning the deadline for making a claim is typically their 21st birthday.

We would always advise you to seek specialist legal advice as soon as possible, even if you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner we can help you understand your options.

What is the legal guidance for Group B Strep claims?

While GBS is generally harmless in healthy adults, if a woman is pregnant and has GBS, the infection can be passed from mother to baby during delivery. The chances of your baby developing a GBS infection if you have GBS in pregnancy is small, but in some cases, if left untreated, Group B strep can lead to severe complications in newborns.

Despite this, pregnant women aren’t routinely screened for GBS. To detect it, pregnant women must currently arrange and pay for a private test known as the ECM (enriched culture medium) test, which costs around £40. This test is most effective when carried out between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy.

If GBS is detected, the infection can be safely treated with antibiotics during labour, significantly reducing the risk of passing it to the baby and preventing potential complications.

How much does it cost to make a Group B Strep claim?

We handle Group B Strep compensation claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t owe us anything. You’ll only pay a fee if your claim is successful . This is a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation settlement.

We believe that the cost of bringing a claim should never be a barrier to justice. If you have questions about how No Win No Fee works, we’ll explain everything clearly before you make a decision,.

What does Group B Strep compensation cover?

Group B Strep compensation is intended to recognise the pain and suffering caused, cover financial losses already incurred, and fund the care and support your child and family will need in the future. Examples of what compensation may cover include:

Rehabilitation and ongoing therapy
Specialist medical treatment
Adaptations to your home or alternative accommodation
Long-term care and support services
Loss of earnings for parents or carers
Specialist equipment and mobility aids
Travel expenses related to treatment
Psychological support and counselling

Every case is unique, and the level of compensation will reflect the specific impact on your child and family.

Can I make a claim on behalf of my child?

Yes. Where a child has been harmed by a GBS infection due to medical negligence, a parent or guardian can bring a claim on the child’s behalf. It’s also important to consider whether the mother has her own separate claim – for example, where there has been a mishandled pregnancy or a traumatic delivery. Claims for the mother are often overlooked, and it’s important that any potential claims are identified from the very beginning of the legal process.