Working with the Foundation For Infant Loss

Hugh James is proud to work in collaboration with the Foundation for Infant Loss, supporting the charity’s important work with families affected by pregnancy loss, stillbirth and neonatal death.

The loss of a baby is devastating. For many parents, it can also be a time of confusion, unanswered questions and deep emotional trauma. The Foundation for Infant Loss provides vital support, remembrance and awareness for families during an incredibly difficult time. Through our collaboration, we want to help raise awareness of the charity’s work and support families who may also need specialist legal guidance following concerns about maternity, neonatal or obstetric care.

Our experience in baby loss and maternity claims

Our clinical negligence team has significant experience supporting families following baby loss, stillbirth, neonatal death and serious birth injury. The team advises on complex and sensitive claims involving issues such as failures to recognise high-risk pregnancies, missed opportunities during labour, mismanaged delivery, birth asphyxia, hypoxic brain injury and neonatal death.

The Hugh James birth injury team includes a former midwife, qualified nurse executives, welfare benefits advisers, medical records officers and qualified social workers. This helps families receive rounded support during a legal claim, including help to understand medical records, expert evidence and the wider impact of what has happened.

We understand that no legal process can ever undo the loss of a baby. For many families, however, seeking advice can help them understand what happened, obtain answers, and ensure that lessons are learned to help protect other families in the future.

The type of matters we can advise on

  • Stillbirth and neonatal death
  • Failure to recognise reduced growth or high-risk pregnancy
  • Delays in escalation during labour
  • Failures in monitoring a baby’s heart rate
  • Birth asphyxia and hypoxic brain injury
  • Mismanaged labour or delivery
  • Maternal injury and traumatic birth
  • Inquests following the death of a baby

Speak to our specialist team

If you have been affected by the loss of a baby and have concerns about the care you or your baby received, our clinical negligence team can offer a confidential initial conversation.

We will listen with care and sensitivity, explain your options clearly, and help you understand whether further investigation may be appropriate. To speak with our team, email [email protected] or contact us on 08085 008018

Key contacts

Case studies and articles

Baby Etta’s Story

A case study about baby Etta, who died at four days old following missed concerns about growth, failures in labour monitoring and CTG issues. The Coroner concluded Etta’s death could have been avoided with proper medical care and issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report.

Read more about baby Etta’s story here.

 

Bringing a legal claim after a stillbirth

A sensitive guidance article explaining how families may seek answers after a stillbirth, including hospital reviews, PMRT, HSIB investigations, post-mortem considerations and potential legal claims.

Read the guide here. 

 

Birth Injury: lessons from the BBC panorama investigation

Hugh James team discussing maternity service pressures, stillbirth, neonatal death and the wider impact on bereaved families. It reinforces that the team has represented families who have suffered stillbirth or neonatal death due to inadequate care.

Read more here. 

Frequently asked questions

There are many areas of support offered after baby loss. These include emotional support, bereavement counselling, remembrance services, peer support groups and specialist charities such as the Foundation for Infant Loss. Some families may also want to understand more about the medical care they or their baby received, and if they could be owed compensation.

Yes. If you have concerns regarding your maternity, neonatal or obstetric care you are entitled to ask questions. This may include asking for medical records, raising concerns with the hospital, or seeking specialist legal advice if you believe mistakes may have been made.

You may wish to seek legal advice if you have concerns that medical care may have contributed to your baby’s death, or if you feel important questions have not been answered. Speaking to a solicitor does not mean you have to bring a claim. It can simply help you understand your options.

No. You do not usually need to have made a formal complaint before speaking to a solicitor. If you have already made a complaint or received a hospital investigation report, this can be helpful, but it is not essential.

Most clinical negligence claims are resolved without the need to go to court. If a claim is investigated, your solicitor will explain each stage clearly and fully support you through the process.

Yes. Many families are unsure at first, and a confidential, free initial conversation may help you understand whether there may be grounds for further investigation.

Next steps

We’re here to get things moving. Drop a message to one of our experts and we’ll get straight back to you.

Call us: 033 3016 2222

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