arrow_back Back to Medical Negligence Claims
Birth Injury to Mother Compensation Claims
Childbirth can place enormous physical demands on a mother’s body. While many complications are managed safely, there are situations where substandard medical care leads to avoidable and sometimes life altering injuries.
If you have suffered a serious injury during pregnancy, labour or delivery because of medical negligence, you may be entitled to make a birth injury to mother compensation claim.
At Nash & Co Solicitors, our medical negligence team supports women in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall, and throughout England. We understand that maternal birth injuries can affect not only physical recovery, but also emotional wellbeing, confidence, relationships and financial security.
Our role is to investigate what happened, provide clear advice and secure the compensation you need to move forward.
-
Negligence occurs when the care provided falls below the standard expected of a reasonably competent medical professional and this causes avoidable harm. Not every complication during childbirth amounts to negligence, but where there were delays, missed warning signs or errors in treatment, it may be appropriate to investigate further.
-
Severe third or fourth degree tears can sometimes occur even with appropriate care. However, if the tear was not recognised, was incorrectly repaired or managed poorly and this led to ongoing complications, it may be possible to bring a claim.
-
Post-partum haemorrhage can be life threatening and requires prompt treatment. If excessive bleeding was not recognised or managed quickly enough and this caused avoidable harm, you may be entitled to seek compensation.
-
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment or from the date you first realised that negligence may have caused your injury. If you are unsure about time limits, we can explain how they apply in your situation.
-
The value of a maternal birth injury claim depends on the severity of the injury, whether symptoms are ongoing and the impact on your daily life, work and relationships. In more serious cases involving long term complications, compensation can be significant to reflect future treatment needs and wider consequences.
Get in touch with us to
talk about your situation
What is a Birth Injury to Mother compensation claim?
A birth injury to mother claim arises when negligent medical care during pregnancy, labour or postnatal treatment causes avoidable harm.
Not every complication amounts to negligence. However, a claim may be possible if healthcare professionals failed to act in accordance with accepted medical standards and this caused material injury.
Examples of maternal birth injuries caused by medical negligence include:
Severe third or fourth degree perineal tears that were not properly identified or repaired
Failure to recognise or treat post-partum haemorrhage
Delayed diagnosis of retained placenta
Surgical errors during Caesarean section
Damage to bladder or bowel during delivery
Nerve damage
Failure to manage pre-eclampsia appropriately
Untreated infection following childbirth
Psychological injury
In some cases, women are left with long term complications such as incontinence, chronic pain, psychological trauma, fertility issues or the need for further corrective surgery.
Compensation is intended to reflect the pain suffered, the impact on daily life and the cost of future treatment or care.
If you think any of this has happened to you, or you want to get in touch about the details of your situation, please contact our team of professional lawyers to see if you can make a claim.
Signs You May Have a Birth Injury to Mother Claim
Injuries during childbirth can sometimes occur even where care is appropriate. However, there are situations where the injury may have been linked to avoidable mistakes or delays in treatment.
You may have a claim if:
You suffered a severe perineal tear (3rd or 4th degree) that may not have been properly managed
There was a delay in recognising or repairing childbirth injuries
Excessive force was used during delivery
Forceps or ventouse were used incorrectly or without appropriate care
You experienced bladder, bowel or pelvic floor injuries after birth
There were delays in performing a Caesarean section when it may have been safer
Your concerns about pain or symptoms after delivery were not properly investigated
Some women only realise later that their recovery has been more difficult than expected or that complications were not explained clearly at the time.
The value of a birth injury to mother claim depends on the severity of the injury and how it affects your daily life and long-term health.
Compensation may include:
Pain, suffering and physical impact of the injury
Emotional distress and psychological effects
Costs of medical treatment or surgery
Physiotherapy or rehabilitation
Ongoing care or support needs
Loss of earnings or impact on work
Long-term complications such as incontinence or chronic pain
Every case is assessed individually, and compensation is based on both current symptoms and any future impact the injury may have.
A member of the team will ensure your claim fully reflects the extent of your experience and future needs.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive?
The first step is to speak confidentially with one of our medical negligence solicitors, who will listen carefully to your experience and advise whether there may be grounds for a claim.
If we believe there is a case to investigate, we will obtain your medical records and arrange for independent medical experts to review the care you received. We will then assess whether the treatment fell below acceptable professional standards and whether this caused your injury.
If negligence is established, we will calculate the value of your claim based on the physical, emotional and financial impact on your life. Throughout the process, we will keep you fully informed and support you at every stage.
How do I make a Birth Injury to Mother Claim?
Time Limits for Making a Birth Injury to Mother Claim
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the injury or from when you first became aware that the care you received may have caused harm.
There are some exceptions:
If mental capacity is affected, time limits may not apply
If the injury was not immediately known, the time limit may begin later
Because some childbirth injuries only become fully apparent after a period of recovery, it is often helpful to seek advice even if some time has passed.
Why choose Nash & Co Solicitors for a birth injury to mother claim?
Choosing a solicitor for a birth injury to mother claim is about trust as well as expertise.
Our team has experience handling complex medical negligence cases, including those involving obstetric and surgical errors. We work with respected independent gynaecological and obstetric experts across England.
Based in Plymouth, we regularly support clients across Devon, Cornwall and wider areas. We understand the healthcare providers operating in the region and the communities we serve.
We recognise that many women feel dismissed or unheard after suffering birth trauma. Our role is to ensure your voice is heard and that your concerns are properly investigated.
Maternal birth injuries can have lasting physical and psychological effects. Some women struggle with ongoing pain, anxiety or post traumatic stress following a traumatic delivery.
We approach every case with sensitivity and respect. From your first conversation with us, you will receive clear advice, realistic expectations and regular updates.
Our focus is on reducing stress, not adding to it.
Our client-first approach
Additional Support
We recognise that birth injuries can affect both physical health and emotional wellbeing. Many women find it difficult to talk about symptoms such as pain, discomfort, or long-term changes after childbirth.
Our Medical Negligence team offers a free, no-obligation consultation where you can speak openly with a member of the team in a supportive environment.
We handle birth injury to mother claims on a no win, no fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no financial risk in exploring your options.
If your claim is successful, we may also be able to secure interim payments to support treatment, recovery, or any additional care you may need.
If you would like to find out whether you can make a birth injury to mother compensation claim, we are here to listen and help you take the next step at your own pace.
Birth Injury to Mother Claims FAQs
Below, we have addressed the most commonly asked questions about birth injury to mother claims and compensation.
If you have any other questions that aren't answered here, don't hesitate to contact us.
-
Childbirth trauma can affect every aspect of life. If negligent care contributed to psychological injury such as post traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, anxiety or depression, and this is supported by medical evidence, it may form part of a compensation claim.
-
Healthcare professionals are required to explain material risks and reasonable alternatives so that you can make informed decisions. If you were not properly advised and would have chosen differently had you been fully informed, this may amount to negligence.
-
If surgical errors occurred during a Caesarean section and this caused avoidable harm, a medical negligence claim may be possible.
-
In some cases, yes. Compensation may take into account fertility issues or complications in future pregnancies.
-
Bringing a claim will not affect your right to NHS treatment. We appreciate that this is a common concern and can provide reassurance about how the process works.
-
The length of a claim depends on its complexity and the severity of the injury. Some cases resolve within two to three years, while more complex matters may take longer.
-
You can contact our medical negligence team by calling 01752 827085 for a confidential discussion to discuss your circumstances. We will explain whether you may be entitled to compensation and your options for proceeding.
Get in Touch
As one of the top law firms in Plymouth, we make four promises to you that shape our everyday job to deliver exceptional client service and positive outcomes.
We are transparent about costs
We'll keep things simple and understandable
We'll always be straight with you and keep you informed
You'll get fast, efficient, and reliable service
Rest assured, whatever medical negligence issue you're facing, we'll do our best to help you.
Give us a ring or fill in our form below to speak to a member of our team today, and get the answers you need to make your claim.
If your enquiry is urgent then please call us on 01752 827085.