Lydia Barnett - Partner & Clinical Negligence Specialist
Lydia is a highly experienced clinical negligence solicitor who acts for children and families affected by serious failures in maternity, obstetric and neonatal care. She has extensive experience representing families whose lives have been changed by infant loss, birth injuries, hypoxic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, and other catastrophic injuries arising from negligent treatment during pregnancy, labour, delivery, and the immediate postnatal period.
Lydia understands that families who have experienced the loss of a baby, a traumatic birth, or a life-changing neonatal injury need more than legal advice. They need compassionate support, clear guidance and someone who can help them navigate an often overwhelming and emotional journey. She is committed to helping families obtain answers, secure access to rehabilitation and specialist support, and pursue the financial security needed to meet their child's future care requirements.
A significant part of Lydia's practice focuses on:
- Birth injuries resulting in brain damage and cerebral palsy
- Obstetric and maternity negligence
- Neonatal injuries
- Hypoxic brain injury
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy and labour
- Wrongful birth claims
- Serious neurological injuries affecting babies and children
Lydia is currently acting in a number of complex, high-value obstetric claims, including representing children who have sustained cerebral palsy and hypoxic brain injuries as a result of negligent medical care at birth. In these cases, she works closely with families to secure early access to rehabilitation, therapy, educational support, and specialist care while pursuing long-term compensation claims.
After studying Law and Philosophy at the University of Kent, Lydia completed her Legal Practice Course at The College of Law in Guildford in 2003. She joined Coles Miller Solicitors in 2004, initially working on high-value brain injury claims before embarking upon her Training Contract. Lydia has specialised exclusively in clinical negligence law since 2008, qualified as a Solicitor in March 2009 and became a Partner in May 2015.
Alongside her maternity and birth injury practice, Lydia has extensive experience in claims involving:
- Brain injuries and delayed diagnosis of stroke
- Kidney failure, dialysis, and transplant claims
- Bladder, bowel, and gynaecological injuries
- Cardiac negligence
- Gastrointestinal injuries
- Complex consent issues
In March 2020, Lydia's article NHS Litigation Fees: Reducing Costs in Clinical Negligence Cases was published in the Personal Injury Law Journal, examining the causes of rising litigation costs within the NHS and exploring potential reforms.
Career Highlights
Throughout her career, Lydia has successfully represented clients in a wide range of complex and high-value clinical negligence claims. She has particular expertise in birth injury litigation, catastrophic neurological injuries, and renal negligence claims. Her work regularly involves securing early interim payments and rehabilitation support to ensure that families receive practical assistance as soon as possible.
Importantly, in cases of maximum severity, Lydia’s work does not stop there and in cases of maximum severity the firm continues to assist the family through protective Trust work. Lydia remains committed to helping clients access the care, support, and rehabilitation services they need to maximise independence and quality of life.
Notable Cases
- Currently representing a child in a multi-million-pound obstetric case, whereby the child developed cerebral palsy following negligent treatment at birth. Lydia secured an early Judgment, enabling the family to access rehabilitation and specialist support for care requirements while the claim continues.
- Currently representing twins in a high value case involving poor obstetric treatment involving poor obstetric care resulting in hypoxic brain injury.
- Represented a Claimant who suffered a serious permanent bladder Injury. Settlement was achieved at the sum of £815,000 at mediation.
- Represented a Claimant who suffered catastrophic bladder and neurological injuries due to TOT tape to treat urinary stress incontinence. The case was complex and robustly defended and finally settled for £475,000.00 after 8 years.
- Represented a Claimant who will require dialysis and two kidney transplants in her lifetime due to admitted negligence. Settlement was achieved at the sum of £500,000, with a claim for Provisional Damages triggered should the transplants fail.
- Represented a Claimant in a case which involved the 20-year acceleration of renal failure and a transplant in the Claimant’s lifetime due to the admitted negligence, resulting in a final settlement of £180,000.
- Represented a Claimant’s family who lost their father to suicide because of the failure of mental health services. The cases was settled for £400,000.
Outside her legal practice, Lydia actively supports local charities and community initiatives, including fundraising and awareness activities for organisations such as Wessex Cancer Trust, Julia's House, and Diverse Abilities. Currently, Lydia is running 15k for Baby Loss Awareness week in support of and to raise donations for Sands, a bereavement charity in October 2026.