Birth Injury Solicitors in Cheltenham
Specialist legal advice for birth injury and obstetric negligence claims
Expert Legal Advice on Birth Injury Claims
We provide specialist legal advice to families whose child has suffered a birth injury as a result of negligent medical care. Birth injuries can have serious and long-term consequences, affecting a child’s health, development, and quality of life.
At Pembridge Solicitors, our medical negligence solicitors advise parents and guardians on birth injury claims arising from pregnancy, labour, delivery, or the immediate post-birth period. We handle these cases with care, sensitivity, and a clear focus on securing long-term support for the child and their family.
What Is a Birth Injury Claim?
A birth injury claim is a type of medical negligence claim brought where a baby has suffered avoidable harm due to substandard care before, during, or shortly after birth. These claims focus on whether the care provided fell below an acceptable professional standard and whether that failure caused or materially contributed to the injury.
In practical terms, this often involves examining decisions made by healthcare professionals at key stages, such as during labour or delivery, and assessing whether different action should have been taken at the time.
How Birth Injuries Occur
Birth injuries can arise at different stages of pregnancy and delivery. While every case turns on its own facts, claims commonly involve failures relating to:
monitoring the baby’s condition during labour
responding appropriately to signs of fetal distress
making timely decisions about intervention, including caesarean section
managing difficult or prolonged deliveries
These issues are assessed in context, taking into account what information was available at the time and what a reasonably competent healthcare professional should have done in the same situation.
Investigating a Birth Injury Claim
Birth injury claims require detailed medical and legal investigation. This usually involves obtaining maternity and neonatal medical records, reviewing clinical notes, and instructing independent medical experts to assess whether the standard of care was acceptable and whether the injury was avoidable.
Because the effects of a birth injury may only become apparent as a child develops, investigation often looks beyond the immediate birth period and considers the longer-term impact on the child’s health and development.
Examples of Birth Injury Claims and Compensation Amounts
Compensation in birth injury claims is assessed by reference to the nature of the injury, its long-term impact on the child, and the level of care and support required throughout their life. Courts consider medical evidence, expert opinions, and future care needs when valuing claims.
The examples below illustrate how different types of birth injuries are commonly valued. All figures are indicative only and based on general judicial guidelines and reported settlements.
Mild Birth Injuries with Good Recovery
These cases may involve short-term oxygen deprivation, minor nerve damage, or temporary complications that resolve with treatment and therapy. Children in these cases are usually able to live independently with little or no long-term impairment.
Compensation typically reflects pain and suffering, short-term medical treatment, and any temporary developmental delay.
Indicative compensation range:
£10,000 – £60,000
Brachial Plexus and Shoulder Dystocia Injuries
Brachial plexus injuries affect the network of nerves controlling movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, or hand. These injuries are often associated with difficult deliveries, including shoulder dystocia.
Where recovery is incomplete, children may experience reduced strength, limited movement, or permanent functional impairment. Compensation takes into account the extent of recovery, ongoing therapy, and the impact on daily activities.
Indicative compensation range:
£20,000 – £120,000
Moderate Brain Injury Caused by Oxygen Deprivation
Moderate brain injuries at birth are commonly linked to delays in responding to fetal distress or failure to intervene promptly during labour. Children may experience learning difficulties, behavioural issues, or mobility limitations that affect education and independence.
Compensation in these cases reflects the need for long-term therapy, specialist education support, and reduced future earning capacity.
Indicative compensation range:
£90,000 – £260,000
Severe Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy
Severe birth injuries, including cerebral palsy and profound brain damage, often result in lifelong disability. Children may require full-time care, specialist equipment, adapted accommodation, and ongoing medical support.
These cases are typically high-value claims because compensation must cover the child’s needs for the rest of their life, including professional care, therapies, mobility aids, and housing adaptations.
Indicative compensation range:
£300,000 – £2,000,000+
In the most complex cases, particularly where 24-hour care is required, compensation can exceed several million pounds.
What the Court Takes Into Account When Valuing Birth Injury Claims
When assessing compensation, the court will consider factors including:
the severity and permanence of the injury
the child’s life expectancy
future medical and care needs
the cost of therapies, equipment, and adaptations
the impact on education and employment prospects
pain, suffering, and loss of amenity
The purpose of compensation is not simply to address past harm, but to ensure the child has access to appropriate care and support throughout their life.
What Birth Injury Compensation Is Intended to Cover
Compensation in birth injury claims is designed to provide long-term security and support for the injured child. Depending on the circumstances, this may include provision for:
ongoing medical treatment and therapy
professional care and assistance
specialist equipment and mobility aids
housing adaptations
educational and developmental support
The purpose of compensation is not only to address past harm, but to ensure that future needs are properly met throughout the child’s life.
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
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