Homerton Fertility Clinic embryo loss claims

The embryo loss incidents at Homerton Fertility Centre have left many patients devastated and without answers. If you were affected, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim. Our specialist team will guide you through your options.

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Author

Francesca Paul

Partner, Group Action Lead

Last Updated

17th July 2026

Can I make a Homerton Fertility Clinic compensation claim?

Homerton Fertility Centre has admitted to three separate incidents involving errors in the freezing and thawing processes, which resulted in the loss or undetectability of a significant number of embryos. Reports suggest that up to 150 embryos may have been affected, involving approximately 45 patients.

You may be able to make a claim if you were a patient at Homerton Fertility Centre whose stored embryos were lost, damaged or became undetectable. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) suspended the clinic’s operating licence in March 2024, initially for two months, due to significant concerns about its procedures. That suspension was later extended to August 2024. The HFEA’s intervention reflects the seriousness of the failures involved.

These cases are being handled as a group action, which means affected patients are supported collectively. This approach can create efficiencies and strengthen the overall case, while ensuring each person’s circumstances are taken into account.

If you were a patient at the clinic during this period and your embryos were affected, it is worth speaking to us. We will listen carefully to your situation and give you an honest assessment of your options, with no obligation and no cost to you.

Example of a Homerton Fertility Clinic claim

Imagine a patient who had stored embryos at Homerton Fertility Centre following IVF treatment, with plans to use them in a future cycle. Due to errors in the clinic’s thawing process, those embryos were lost and could not be recovered. If those embryos represented the patient’s only remaining chance to conceive, and the clinic failed to follow proper procedures, this could be a valid compensation claim.

Related claims alongside this group action

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What compensation can help with

Acknowledging the harm caused and helping you move forward.

These incidents have had a profound and deeply personal impact – for many people affected, the lost embryos represented their last realistic chance of conceiving their own children. We know the emotional harm of losing stored embryos in this way is significant and real. Compensation can take into account the psychological impact of these events, including the distress, grief and anxiety you have experienced.

Where the loss of embryos has affected your prospects of having a child, the impact on your life and relationships can also be reflected in a claim. Beyond the emotional harm, a claim can also cover the practical and financial consequences – including costs already incurred and any future treatment or support you may need.

A successful Homerton fertility clinic embryo loss compensation may help fund:

Psychological distress, grief and anxiety caused by embryo loss
Impact on your prospects of conceiving and starting or expanding your family
Costs of previous IVF cycles and fertility treatment
Costs of future fertility treatment, where applicable
Counselling and emotional support
Any other out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the incidents

Understanding the potential value

The value of a Homerton Fertility Clinic claim will depend on your individual circumstances – including the number of embryos affected, your age, your remaining fertility options, and the psychological and practical impact the loss has had on your life. Cases involving the loss of a patient’s last viable embryos, or where fertility prospects have been significantly reduced, are likely to carry greater weight. We will assess your specific situation carefully and advise you honestly on what a fair outcome might look like. This is an ongoing group action, so more details on case outcomes will be released as they are available.

Understanding special and general damages

When we calculate the value of a claim, we look at two categories of loss. The first is general damages, which recognise the human cost of your injury – the pain, the disruption, and the impact on your independence and quality of life. The second is special damages, which cover the financial costs you’ve faced as a direct result of what happened. Both matter, and both will be pursued in full.

Specialist group action solicitors

Our team has deep experience handling complex medical negligence group actions.

Why choose Fletchers for your Homerton Fertility Clinic claim?

Our team combines specialist medical negligence expertise with genuine care for the people we support - and experience in running group actions efficiently, so that every affected patient gets the attention their case deserves. Fertility negligence cases are among the most emotionally complex claims we handle. The stakes are deeply personal, and the legal process needs to be managed with both rigour and sensitivity.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist medical negligence solicitors with experience in fertility negligence and group actions
Currently supporting a number of patients affected by the Homerton Fertility Centre incidents
Led by Francesca Paul, Partner and lead group claims solicitor, and Christian Beadell, Head of Group Actions
Experience gathering evidence, identifying responsible parties, and working with the Court on group litigation
Compassionate, clear communication throughout – so you always understand what is happening and what comes next
Free, confidential case assessment with no obligation
No win, no fee – so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

We recognise that these events are likely to have a significant impact on your life and your wellbeing. In many cases, people have had the opportunity to grow their family taken away from them forever – and that is a very difficult load to bear.

We have supported many other families through this process. We understand that the Homerton fertility case can affect your relationships, your mental health, and your sense of what the future holds. Many of our clients have described being left in the dark – waiting for answers while the clinic and authorities worked through the issues.

The loss of stored embryos is not just a medical or legal matter – it is a deeply personal loss. For many of the patients affected by the Homerton Fertility Centre incidents, those embryos represented years of hope, difficult treatment, and in some cases, the only remaining chance of having a biological child. The distress, grief and uncertainty that follow are entirely understandable, and should not be minimised.

That is what we are here to do. We will handle every part of the process, keep you informed at every stage, and work to secure compensation that properly reflects the impact of what has happened to you. From your first free case assessment through to resolution, you will never be left wondering where things stand.

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FAQs about Homerton Fertility Clinic compensation claims

What happened at Homerton Fertility Centre?

Homerton Fertility Centre admitted to three separate incidents involving errors in the freezing and thawing processes used to store embryos. These errors resulted in the loss or undetectability of a significant number of embryos. Reports suggest that up to 150 embryos may have been affected, involving approximately 45 patients.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) suspended the clinic’s operating licence in March 2024 due to significant concerns about its procedures. The suspension was initially set for two months but was later extended to August 2024, while the HFEA assessed whether the clinic could operate safely.

Am I eligible to make a claim?

You may be eligible if you were a patient at Homerton Fertility Centre and your stored embryos were lost, damaged or rendered undetectable as a result of the clinic’s procedural failures. Even if you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, it is worth contacting us. We will carry out a free, confidential case assessment and give you an honest view of your options – with no obligation to proceed.

What is a group action, and how does it work?

A group action (sometimes called a multi-party action) is a legal process that allows a number of people who have been affected by the same events to bring their claims together. This can create efficiencies and strengthen the overall case.

In a group action, we gather evidence, identify the responsible parties, and assess the impact on each individual collectively. We notify the Court of proceedings and may apply for a Group Litigation Order if necessary. Each person’s individual circumstances are still taken into account when it comes to assessing compensation.

Once negotiations with the defendants are concluded and a settlement or decision is reached, compensation is arranged and paid to each affected individual.

How long does a claim like this take?

Group actions of this nature are complex, and it is difficult to predict exactly how long the process will take. The timeline will depend on factors including the number of claimants involved, the evidence gathered, and whether the case settles or proceeds to Court.

What we can tell you is that we will keep you informed at every stage, and we will work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while making sure the outcome properly reflects what you have been through.

What evidence will I need to provide?

We will guide you through everything that is needed. In most cases, this will include details of your treatment at Homerton Fertility Centre, confirmation of the embryos that were stored, and any communications you have received from the clinic about the incidents.

You do not need to have everything ready before you contact us. We will help you understand what is needed and support you through the process of gathering it.

Will I have to pay anything to make a claim?

No. We operate on a No Win, No Fee basis, which means you will not be asked to pay legal fees upfront, and you will not owe us anything if your claim is unsuccessful. Your initial case assessment is also free and completely confidential. We know that finding money for legal fees is the last thing you need to worry about right now.

What support is available during the claims process?

We understand that going through a legal process on top of everything else you are dealing with can feel overwhelming. Our team will handle every part of the process for you, keep you updated at every stage, and make sure you always know what is happening and what comes next.

We also recognise the emotional impact of these events, and our team will support you with compassion and sensitivity throughout. If you have questions at any point, we are here to help.