Paediatric medico-legal reports
Medical Negligence Expert Witness Reports for Birth Injury
We provide independent paediatric expert witnesses for clinical negligence and birth injury claims, reporting on breach of duty, causation and prognosis. You see the expert’s CV before you instruct, and the report is written to the expert’s CPR Part 35 duty to the court. We act for either side.
Overview
What a clinical negligence birth injury claim involves
Clinical negligence and birth injury claims turn on whether the care fell below a reasonable standard, and whether that failing caused the child’s injury. The two questions, breach and causation, are answered separately, often by different specialists, and a prognosis follows once liability is established. Many of these claims concern conditions such as cerebral palsy or HIE and hypoxic brain injury.
Reports we produce
The reports a birth injury claim relies on
Which experts report
The paediatric specialists on a birth injury claim
Birth injury claims are usually assessed by a neonatologist, a paediatric neurologist, or both, depending on the injury. Fracture and imaging questions may bring in a paediatric radiologist. We confirm the discipline before you instruct, and you see the CV first.
Jurisdiction and funding
Where these claims run, and how they are funded
These claims run in England and Wales under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR Part 35), and we can advise on the equivalent duties in Scotland and Northern Ireland where a matter sits there. They are typically funded on a conditional fee agreement (CFA) or privately. We provide a same-working-day quotation and confirm terms in writing before instruction.
From instruction to report
How an instruction proceeds
Send your letter of instruction and the records, and we allocate a suitable expert within 48 hours and provide the CV. The standard report turnaround is two to four weeks, or one to two weeks where the matter is urgent. One named case manager stays with you throughout. For the documents we need at the outset, see how to instruct.
FAQ
Clinical negligence and birth injury: common questions
Yes. Breach and causation are distinct questions and are often reported by different specialists.
Usually a neonatologist and/or a paediatric neurologist; the discipline depends on the injury, and we confirm it before you instruct.
Yes. CFA and private funding are both available; terms are confirmed in writing before instruction.
Within 48 hours of instruction, with the CV provided so you can review suitability.
Instructing on a birth injury or clinical negligence claim?
Send your case details and we will allocate a suitable expert within 48 hours, with a same-working-day quotation and the CV before you instruct.