Menu

Birth Injuries and Medical Malpractice

The consequences of a birth injury can be emotionally and financially overwhelming for the child and their family. The child may require extensive medical treatment, therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing care for the rest of their life. Additionally, the family may face substantial medical expenses, loss of income due to caregiving responsibilities, and emotional distress.

If your child has been injured at birth due to negligence, contact a birth injury lawyer to discuss your case.

Working with a skilled birth injury lawyer at Regan Zambri Long can help ensure that the child’s rights are protected and that the family receives the compensation they deserve to cover the costs associated with the injury.

Contact Us Today to Schedule
a Free Consultation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

5 stars

Protect Your Rights with a Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth injury cases require careful evaluation of medical records, expert opinions, and thorough investigation to determine whether negligence or medical malpractice caused the injury. A skilled birth injury lawyer will work with medical experts, review the evidence, and consult with specialists to build a strong case. They will seek to establish liability and demonstrate that the healthcare provider or medical facility failed to provide the standard of care expected during childbirth.

It is essential to understand that birth injuries are different from birth defects. While genetic or environmental factors typically cause birth defects (also known as congenital disorders), birth injuries are the result of preventable medical errors or negligence. Common birth injuries include cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, brain damage, nerve damage, fractures, and other physical and neurological conditions that can significantly affect the child’s development, mobility, and overall quality of life.

The most common birth injuries caused by medical negligence

What Is a Birth Injury Caused by Medical Negligence?

Birth injuries caused by medical negligence are distressing events that can have a significant impact on the lives of the child and their family. These injuries occur when healthcare professionals fail to provide the standard of care expected during pregnancy, the labor and delivery process, resulting in harm or injury to the newborn. While every birth injury case is unique, several common types of birth injuries may occur due to medical negligence.

Cerebral Palsy:

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle coordination, and posture. Cerebral palsy can be caused by brain damage or abnormal brain development during or shortly after birth. Medical negligence, such as failure to detect or respond to fetal distress, improper use of delivery tools, or oxygen deprivation, can contribute to the development of cerebral palsy and cerebral palsy symptoms.

Erb’s Palsy and Brachial Plexus Injuries

Erb’s palsy affects the nerves in the upper arm, causing weakness or paralysis. It often occurs as a result of shoulder dystocia, a complication during delivery where the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone. Improper handling of this situation or excessive force during delivery can lead to nerve damage and Erb’s palsy.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that controls movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to the brachial plexus can occur during a difficult delivery, particularly if excessive force is used or if the baby’s shoulder gets trapped during delivery. These injuries can result in weakness, loss of sensation, or paralysis in the affected arm.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE):

HIE occurs when there is a lack of oxygen in the baby’s brain during childbirth. It can lead to brain damage and various long-term neurological impairments. Medical negligence, such as failure to monitor the baby’s oxygen levels or respond promptly to signs of fetal distress, can contribute to the development of HIE.

Fractures and Bone Injuries:

Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery can result in fractures or other bone injuries to the baby. These injuries can range from minor fractures to more severe bone damage, requiring medical intervention and possibly long-term care.

Facial Nerve Birth Injury:

Facial nerve injuries can occur if excessive force is used during delivery, leading to nerve damage in the baby’s face. This can cause facial paralysis, difficulty closing eyes or smiling, and other facial muscle weaknesses.

These are just a few examples of common birth injuries that can occur due to medical negligence. Each case is unique, and the specific circumstances surrounding the injury must be thoroughly examined to determine if medical negligence played a role.

A Birth Injury Attorney Can Help

If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, speak to an experienced birth injury attorney. They can help investigate the injury’s circumstances, gather relevant medical records and expert opinions, and build a compelling case to hold the responsible parties accountable. A skilled birth injury lawyer will fight for your rights and seek the compensation necessary to provide the lifelong care and support your child may require as a result of the birth injury.

What Is a Birth Injury Caused by Medical Negligence?

Understanding Your Rights in a Birth Injury Negligence Case:

Birth injury cases are complicated, involving medical laws, regulations, and standards of care. An experienced birth injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the legal process.

Investigating the Birth Injury Case:

A birth injury lawyer will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury. They will review medical records, consult with medical experts, and gather evidence to determine if medical negligence played a role. This investigation is critical in establishing liability and building a solid case.

Assessing Childbirth Damages:

A birth injury can have significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences. A lawyer will help assess the damages suffered by your child and your family, including medical expenses, ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, therapy, assistive devices, special education needs, and pain and suffering. They will work with experts to determine the full extent of the damages and seek appropriate compensation.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies:

Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, especially when seeking fair compensation for a birth injury. Having a skilled birth injury lawyer by your side ensures that you have someone experienced in negotiating with insurance companies to protect your interests and secure a favorable settlement.

Advocacy and Representation:

A birth injury lawyer will serve as your advocate throughout the legal process. They will represent your interests, communicate with the parties involved, handle legal paperwork, and fight for the compensation your child and your family deserve. This allows you to focus on your child’s well-being while the lawyer handles the legal aspects of the case.

Court Representation:

Sometimes, a birth injury lawsuit may proceed to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. A birth injury lawyer will have the litigation experience and skills to present your case effectively. They will fight for your rights, present compelling evidence, and make persuasive arguments.

Access to Expert Resources:

A reputable birth injury lawyer will have access to a network of medical experts and specialists who can provide professional opinions and testimony to support your case. These experts can help establish the connection between medical negligence and your child’s birth injury, strengthening your claim.

Consulting a birth injury lawyer provides you with the legal expertise and support needed during your claim. They will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable, seek fair compensation for your child’s injuries, and help secure the resources necessary to provide the best possible care for your child’s future.

How Birth Injuries Can Occur Through Medical Negligence

A birth injury due to medical negligence is a devastating event that can have long-lasting effects on both the child and their family. It occurs when healthcare professionals fail to provide the expected standard of care during the labor and delivery process, resulting in harm or injury to the newborn. Common examples of birth injuries caused by medical negligence include cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, brachial plexus injuries, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), fractures, and facial nerve injuries.

If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, take immediate action. Here are the steps to consider:

  • Seek medical attention: Your child’s health and well-being should always be the top priority. Ensure that they receive appropriate medical care and treatment for their injuries. Follow the advice of healthcare professionals and specialists who can provide support and rehabilitation.
  • Consult a birth injury lawyer: An experienced lawyer specializing in medical negligence cases will thoroughly evaluate your case, review medical records, gather evidence, and determine if medical negligence contributed to your child’s injury. A lawyer will guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights.
  • Document and gather evidence: Collect any relevant medical records, photographs, videos, or eyewitness accounts that can support your claim. These pieces of evidence can help establish the connection between medical negligence and your child’s birth injury.
  • Understand your legal rights: Your lawyer will explain your legal rights and available options. They will guide how to proceed, whether through negotiation, mediation, or pursuing a lawsuit.
  • File a claim or lawsuit: Your lawyer will help you file a claim or lawsuit against the responsible parties, which may include healthcare providers, hospitals, or medical institutions. They will handle the legal process on your behalf, including gathering additional evidence, consulting with medical experts, and representing your interests in negotiations or court proceedings.
  • Seek fair compensation: Your lawyer will work diligently to seek fair compensation for your child’s injuries, medical expenses, future care needs, pain and suffering, and other damages. They will strive to secure the financial resources necessary to provide the best possible care for your child’s ongoing needs.

Remember, time is of the essence when pursuing a birth injury claim. Statutes of limitations may apply, so it is important to consult a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.

By taking action and seeking legal representation, you can hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and seek the justice and compensation your child deserves.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596

  • Please do not send any confidential or sensitive information in this form. This form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Back to Top