Maternity & Pregnancy Negligence Claims

What is Maternity Medical Negligence?

Maternity negligence occurs when maternity professionals offer poor care during pregnancy that could have been avoided. This poor care can result in injuries that are serious, life changing and even fatal.

Maternity professionals such as a doctor, midwife, sonographer or nurse may offer poor care, which can lead to maternity negligence, such as the following:

• Misdiagnosis of conditions or infections during pregnancy.
• Delayed or traumatic birth causing injury to mother and / or child
• Birth injuries and / or avoidable complications.
• Incorrect use of forceps or ventouse.
• Failed sterilisation.
• Failure to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.
• Still births.

Our maternity negligence solicitors are committed to helping families get the answers and compensation they deserve through a maternity negligence claim. Our team is compassionate and sensitive. We understand the challenges your family is going through. We are committed to enhancing your child’s quality of life, both now and in the future.

Common Injuries Due to Maternity Negligence During Pregnancy

Midwives and other medical professionals have a duty of care to ensure they keep a close eye on the mother’s health and well-being throughout a pregnancy.

Failure to carry out regular antenatal checks could lead to a mother suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition that could harm the mother or baby.

Maternity negligence can occur when a medical professional:

• • Fails to take a proper history from the mother during an antenatal appointment.
  • Fails to perform the correct antenatal checks.
  • Fails to spot issues with the placenta during pregnancy, such as an anterior placenta, placenta previa or placental abruption.
  • Fails to spot birth asphyxia, which causes issues supplying the brain with oxygen.
  • Misses an abnormality during a blood test or scan.
  • Misdiagnoses a miscarriage.
  • Does not identify the signs of infection.
  • Does not manage pregnancy complications effectively or in a timely manner.
  • Fails to assess and manage the mother’s medication during pregnancy.

These actions could lead to any number of conditions and birth injuries, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, ectopic pregnancy, uterine rupture or death of the baby in the womb.

What Can I Claim for With Maternity Negligence?

Our maternity negligence solicitors specialise in birth injury claims and recognise the significant care requirements for a child after an avoidable injury and the ongoing costs associated with those needs, both currently and in the future which can be considerable in terms of future care, accommodation etc

When making a birth injury claim, we consider:

• The type of injury or illness.
• Whether you or your child will fully recover or face long-term consequences.
• The losses caused by the injury or illness.

Once these have been considered, you may be able to claim compensation for the following:

• Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.
• Loss of earnings.
• Medical and nursing care costs.
• Special equipment needed to carry out daily activities.
• Adaptation costs for your home.
• Other expenses incurred because of the injury.

A maternity negligence solicitor are there to support you through the entire process, offering advice and explaining all the details of your claim in language that you will be able to understand. They also offer emotional support throughout.

No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Claims

We believe that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our no win no fee agreement, also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), helps you take legal action. You don’t have to worry about upfront costs.*

In most cases, if accepted on a no win, no fee basis, you won’t pay a penny upfront for our legal services*. The basis of a CFA is that you will not be required to pay our legal fees if the compensation claim is unsuccessful. Meaning, you will not pay any fees to us unless we win your case for you*.

You can find more information on our no win no fee medical negligence page. It includes a full list of terms and conditions.

*There are circumstances where you would be asked to pay any outstanding costs even if you don’t win your case.

You may need to pay for services from Howells Solicitors in certain situations. These include being dishonest, not giving your solicitor instructions, or rejecting an offer against their advice. Other examples are the death of the claimant, cancelling your claim, and moving without telling your solicitor.

In these cases, you might also have to cover the defendant’s costs. Client’s may be asked to pay disbursements up front or must stand to the cost of a medical report if a second opinion is obtained. In some instances, you may need to pay for medical reports or other third-party payments upfront. We would discuss this with you before making any decision.

Legal Aid for Maternity Negligence

Howells Solicitors are one of the few maternity negligence law firms holding a Legal Aid franchise for medical negligence. In certain circumstances may be able to apply for Legal Aid Funding.

As soon as you contact us, we’ll be able to discuss your funding options. We will answer any questions you have to alleviate any worries or stress you might be feeling.

Free Medical Negligence Initial Appointment – Step by Step

Step 1 – Book Your Free Consultation
Contact our medical negligence team by completing our online form or by calling 0114 2496 611. We’ll arrange a free appointment at a time that suits you, including during lunch breaks or after work.

Step 2 – Share Your Story
During your initial telephone appointment, our friendly solicitors will listen to your concerns with care and compassion. We’ll ask for some basic details about what happened and how you’ve been affected.

Step 3 – Get an Initial Assessment
We’ll let you know quickly whether we can help with your medical negligence claim. Our team handles all types of cases, whether large or small.

Step 4 – Understand the Process
Your solicitor will explain the medical negligence claims process in simple terms, guiding you step by step at your own pace.

Step 5 – Case Investigation
If we believe your claim requires further investigation, we’ll open a case and discuss your next steps, including funding options and legal costs.

Step 6 – Ongoing Support
From your first appointment onwards, our medical negligence solicitors will provide expert advice, compassionate support, and clear guidance to help you secure the compensation and rehabilitation you deserve.

How to Make a Pregnancy Claim – Step by Step

Step 1 – Free Consultation
Contact Howells Solicitors on 0114 2496 611 or complete our online form. During your free consultation, we’ll ask for some basic details about what happened and how you were affected.

Step 2 – Initial Assessment
Our specialist medical negligence solicitors will review your case and let you know if further investigation is needed. We’ll explain your funding options, including No Win, No Fee agreements.

Step 3 – Case Investigation
If your claim proceeds, we’ll collect and review your medical records. Our expert solicitors will work with independent medical professionals to identify errors in your treatment and the impact on your health.

Step 4 – Letter of Claim
Once evidence is gathered, we will formally start legal proceedings by sending a Letter of Claim to the Defendant (hospital, GP, or healthcare provider).

Step 5 – Interim Payments
Where possible, we will secure interim compensation payments to help cover immediate care, rehabilitation, or financial needs while your case continues.

Step 6 – Settlement or Court
We aim to resolve claims through negotiation or mediation, helping you achieve a faster and less stressful outcome. If necessary, we’ll represent you in court to secure the compensation you deserve.

Flexible Appointments

We understand that dealing with medical negligence matters can be stressful, and finding time to attend in-person appointments isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer our full range of medical negligence services remotely, offering a more efficient and convenient service. We can offer our medical negligence legal support via telephone or secure remote online meetings.

This approach allows you to access expert legal advice from the comfort of your home, without the need to travel or rearrange your schedule. If your case requires a court hearing, many procedural matters are now handled remotely too, ensuring your legal journey is as smooth and accessible as possible.

Our remote services are designed to be just as personal and confidential as in-person consultations, with clear communication and full transparency every step of the way. Remote appointments are offered throughout the case, and most correspondence can be handled by email and Howells secure Client Portal.

Whether you’re dealing with sensitive medical negligence/personal injury matters or simply seeking guidance, we ensure a smooth, stress-free experience that puts your needs first. Whilst we appreciate that remote services offer convenience, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you do wish to meet us face to face, you can book an appointment at one of our offices in Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham.