Birth Injuries
Birth injury solicitors in Cheltenham
At Pembridge Solicitors, we advise parents and families whose baby has suffered harm before, during, or shortly after birth due to mistakes in maternity care. Based in Cheltenham, our medical negligence solicitors provide clear, practical advice to help you understand whether errors in pregnancy, labour, or neonatal care may amount to negligence and what options may be available. Birth injury cases are highly sensitive and often life-changing. Our role is to explain your position in plain English, handle your case with compassion, and guide you through the process with care and professionalism.
What is a birth injury?
A birth injury is harm suffered by a baby as a result of problems during pregnancy, labour, delivery, or immediately after birth. This can include physical injury, brain injury, or complications caused by lack of oxygen, infection, or trauma. Not every complication during birth is avoidable, but where care falls below the standard reasonably expected and causes injury, a claim may arise.
Common examples of birth injuries
Birth injuries can arise in a range of situations. Examples include delayed delivery when intervention was required, failure to monitor the baby’s heart rate, misuse of forceps or ventouse, delays in performing a caesarean section, poor management of shoulder dystocia, untreated infection, or failure to respond to signs of fetal distress. Injuries may affect movement, development, learning, or long-term health.
When birth injury advice is needed
Advice is often sought where a baby experiences unexpected complications at birth, requires intensive care, or later shows signs of developmental delay or physical impairment. In some cases, concerns only become apparent months or years later. Legal advice can help clarify whether the outcome was unavoidable or whether earlier action or different care could have prevented the injury.
Understanding the birth injury claims process
Birth injury claims involve a detailed review of maternity records, labour notes, scans, monitoring results, and neonatal care. The key questions are whether the care provided met acceptable standards and whether different action would likely have avoided or reduced the injury. These cases often require independent medical expert evidence to assess what should have happened and the impact of any failures in care.
How we handle birth injury claims
When you instruct Pembridge Solicitors, we take time to understand your family’s experience and review medical records in detail. We assess whether maternity care fell below the required standard and whether that failure caused harm to your child. Where appropriate, we work with specialist medical experts to support the claim. Throughout the process, we explain each step clearly, manage expectations honestly, and ensure your case is handled with sensitivity and respect.
Compensation in birth injury cases
Compensation in birth injury claims is intended to support the child’s long-term needs. This may include funding for care, therapy, equipment, accommodation needs, education support, and future treatment, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. Each case is assessed individually, and we provide clear advice on what compensation may realistically be claimed.
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Clear, confidential advice on Birth Injuries. Speak to an experienced solicitor to understand your options and next steps.
Birth injury FAQs
Does a difficult birth always mean negligence?
No. Childbirth carries risks, and not all complications are caused by negligence. A claim depends on whether the care provided fell below acceptable standards and whether that failure caused avoidable injury.
What if the injury was only discovered later?
Many birth injuries are not fully apparent at birth and may only become clear as a child develops. In some cases, claims can still be brought when the injury is discovered later. Advice helps assess whether time limits allow a claim to proceed.
How do I know if my outcome would have been different?
Yes. Special rules apply where a child is involved, and time limits may run differently. Because these rules are complex, early legal advice is important to protect your child’s position.
Do I need medical records to start a claim?
Medical records are essential, but you do not need to obtain them yourself before seeking advice. We explain how records are obtained and reviewed as part of the investigation.
Will making a claim affect my child’s care?
No. Bringing a claim should not affect the medical care your child receives. Claims are handled separately from ongoing treatment and focus on accountability and support for future needs.
How long do birth injury claims take?
Birth injury claims can take time due to their complexity and the need for expert evidence. Timescales vary depending on the circumstances, and we explain what to expect as the case progresses.
Where we also assist clients
While our birth injury solicitors are based in Cheltenham, we also assist clients from Tewkesbury, Gloucester, and across England and Wales, with support provided in person or remotely where appropriate.
Speak to birth injury solicitors in Cheltenham
If you believe your child has been affected by a birth injury and want clear advice on your options, our solicitors are here to help. We provide practical medical negligence advice focused on understanding what went wrong and securing support for your child’s future. To speak to one of our medical negligence solicitors, call 0330 900 0377 or contact us online to arrange a confidential consultation.
How to Find Us
Pembridge Solicitors
Calderwood House
Montpellier Parade
Cheltenham
GL50 1UA