Leeds families have pushed for – and now secured – an independent inquiry into maternity and neonatal care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust after serious safety concerns, including reports that at least 56 baby deaths and two maternal deaths since 2019 may have been preventable. The Health Secretary has announced a “Nottingham-style” inquiry focused on repeated failings and long-running issues at the Trust.
The Leeds maternity inquiry will examine systemic failings that may have contributed to avoidable baby and maternal deaths. If your family has been affected by negligent maternity care in Leeds, you may be entitled to compensation for harm, financial losses and future care. National Claims can help you start a No Win, No Fee claim today.
What the Leeds maternity inquiry means for your family
On 20 October 2025, the Government confirmed an independent inquiry into Leeds maternity services following a parents’ campaign and earlier CQC findings that rated services at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s “inadequate.” The inquiry is expected to scrutinise leadership, staffing, culture, record-keeping, escalation of risk, and how concerns were handled.
This local action sits alongside a national maternity and neonatal investigation covering 14 trusts, chaired by Baroness Amos, which aims to address recurring patterns of harm across England. Families’ experiences will be central to both processes.
Why this matters: research and recent audits show rising risks and costs across maternity services. NHS liabilities for clinical negligence have climbed to £60bn, with childbirth-related brain injuries driving some of the largest settlements.
Who can claim for Leeds maternity negligence?
You may have a claim if negligent care in pregnancy, labour, birth or the postnatal period caused avoidable harm to you or your baby. Examples include:
- Failure to monitor foetal distress or act on abnormal CTGs.
- Delayed Caesarean section or escalation.
- Mismanaged shoulder dystocia or instrumental delivery.
- Untreated maternal infection, haemorrhage or pre-eclampsia.
- Missed third- or fourth-degree perineal tears or inadequate repair.
Negligence can lead to life-changing injuries such as hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury, cerebral palsy, severe perineal damage, PTSD or bereavement after stillbirth or neonatal death. If this sounds familiar, you can start a No Win, No Fee claim with National Claims today.
Important: Time limits apply. In most medical negligence cases, you have three years from the date of negligence or the date of knowledge. Claims for children can usually be brought any time before their 18th birthday, with a further three years thereafter.
Typical compensation for maternity negligence (guideline ranges)
Compensation comprises general damages (for pain, suffering and loss of amenity) guided by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), plus special damages for financial losses (care, therapies, housing, equipment, loss of earnings, transport and more).
Below are illustrative JCG ranges for general damages only. Your total settlement may be substantially higher once lifelong care and financial losses are included.
| Injury / Harm (illustrative) | Typical JCG range* |
|---|---|
| Very severe brain injury (child) | £282,000 – £403,000 |
| Moderately severe brain injury | £219,000 – £282,000 |
| Moderate brain injury | £43,000 – £219,000 |
| Less severe brain injury | £15,000 – £43,000 |
| Psychiatric injury (severe PTSD) | £73,000 – £123,000 |
| Psychiatric injury (moderate) | £7,000 – £23,000 |
| Severe 3rd/4th degree perineal injury** | Case-specific; often significant six-figure totals when care and losses included |
*Ranges paraphrased from publicly available summaries of the JCG (16th ed.). **Complex maternal injuries can attract additional awards for incontinence, sexual dysfunction and psychological harm, plus special damages for treatment and support.
The Leeds picture: what’s alleged so far
- Scale of harm: A BBC investigation earlier this year reported at least 56 baby deaths and two maternal deaths between 2019 and 2024 that may have been preventable at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
- Regulator concerns: In June 2025, the CQC rated maternity services at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s “inadequate,” citing safety risks, staffing and culture issues.
- Government response: The Health Secretary has commissioned an independent, Nottingham-style inquiry for Leeds and confirmed the Trust also remains part of the rapid national maternity investigation.
While inquiries identify what went wrong and recommend improvements, they do not award compensation. If you or your baby were harmed, you pursue damages through a medical negligence claim. National Claims can coordinate your case and connect you with experienced solicitors who will seek the maximum compensation you deserve.
What you can claim: heads of loss
Depending on your circumstances, your claim may include:
- General damages: Pain, suffering, loss of amenity (guided by JCG).
- Past & future care: Professional and family care, case management, respite.
- Therapies & medical needs: Physio, OT, SALT, psychology, continence care, equipment.
- Education & support: SEN provision, specialist schooling, tutoring.
- Accommodation: Adaptations or purchase of suitable housing.
- Loss of earnings & pension: For parents and, later, for the injured child.
- Travel & miscellaneous: Hospital trips, heating, clothing, tech.
Experts recommend early interim payments in serious cases to fund urgent therapies and equipment while the case progresses.
How National Claims supports Leeds families
We combine legal insight with sensitivity. Here’s how we help:
- Free, confidential assessment: We listen, identify potential breaches of duty and assess causation and harm.
- Evidence-led strategy: We collate medical records, witness evidence and independent expert opinions (obstetrics, midwifery, neonatology, neuroradiology, colorectal/urogynaecology and psychiatry).
- Funding: Most cases run on a No Win, No Fee basis.
- Interim payments: Where liability is admitted or likely, we seek interim funds for care and rehabilitation.
- Family-centred outcomes: We plan for lifelong needs, not just headline figures.
Step-by-step: starting your Leeds maternity negligence claim
- Step 1 – Speak to us: Contact National Claims for a free review.
- Step 2 – Records & timeline: We’ll help you request maternity notes, CTGs and incident reports.
- Step 3 – Screening experts: Independent clinicians assess breach of duty and avoidability.
- Step 4 – Letter of Claim: We set out allegations and your losses in detail.
- Step 5 – Negotiation or court: Many cases settle; litigation remains available if needed.
- Step 6 – Rehabilitation & future planning: We focus on care, education and housing for long-term security.
Practical tips while the inquiry progresses
- Keep a diary of symptoms, appointments and impact on family life.
- Store all expenses (receipts for travel, equipment, childcare).
- Request copies of complaint responses, incident reports and any HSIB/PMRT reviews where applicable.
- Seek support for psychological trauma (your GP can signpost NHS help).
- Act promptly to protect your limitation period.
For wider context on the national picture and patient safety obligations, see the Government’s update on the national maternity investigation.
FAQs: Leeds maternity negligence claims
1. Is the inquiry the same as a legal claim?
No. The inquiry examines systemic failures and learning. Compensation is pursued through a civil claim supported by expert evidence.
2. Do I need to wait for the inquiry to finish before claiming?
No. You can start now. Waiting can risk limitation issues and delay access to interim payments in severe cases.
3. Can I claim for psychological harm after a traumatic birth or loss?
Yes. The JCG contains brackets for psychiatric injury and PTSD; compensation reflects severity and prognosis.
4. My baby suffered brain injury – are payouts capped?
No statutory cap applies. General damages follow JCG guidance, but special damages for lifelong care, therapies and housing can be substantial. Recent averages for childbirth-related brain injury claims run into multi-million pounds.
5. What if I had a missed or misrepaired 3rd/4th degree tear?
These injuries can cause incontinence, pain and sexual dysfunction. Claims often include surgery, physio, psychological therapy and loss of earnings, and can reach high settlements when needs are significant.
Your next step
If you or your baby were harmed by maternity care in Leeds, you are not alone. The inquiry will shine a light on systemic issues – but your family deserves answers, treatment and financial security now.
Need Help With your Compensation Claim?
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About National Claims
This article was written by the National Claims content team. Our specialists have years of experience helping people across the UK with personal injury, road traffic accident, and housing disrepair claims. We work alongside regulated solicitors to ensure our information is accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely useful for anyone seeking to understand their rights after an accident.
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