Finding out that your precious baby suffers from a childbirth injury that was avoidable can be heartbreaking. A birth injury can also cause unprecedented financial strain on a family.
If your child is the victim of medical malpractice, you can work with a Los Angeles childbirth and infant injury lawyer. You could have legal recourse and may be able to receive compensation for your damages. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for a free evaluation of your case by dialing (800) 794-0444.
Birth Injuries
Sometimes, a baby is born with a medical issue; however, other times birth injuries occur through medical mistakes. Some birth injuries include, among others:
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a type of nerve injury that can occur during a difficult delivery, for example, with a particularly large baby or a long labor. If a medical provider stretches one side of the baby’s neck through force during delivery, nerves can suffer damage, which sometimes results in Erb’s palsy. While Erb’s palsy can resolve over time, it can cause a permanent disfunction and a noticeably smaller arm on the affected side.
Bone Fractures
Bone fractures can occur in a breech delivery or complicated labor during repositioning or by heavy pulling on the baby. According to Stanford Children’s Health, fracture of the clavicle or collarbone is the most common fracture during delivery.
Oxygen Deprivation
Oxygen deprivation during birth can be devastating for a baby’s health and result in physical as well as mental disabilities that may be irreversible.
Facial Paralysis
Facial paralysis can happen when damage to the nerves occurs during labor by either asserting too much pressure on the face of the baby or by using forceps.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can happen during a difficult delivery due to stresses applied to the spinal area and overstretching. While some children can recover from spinal injuries, others may have lasting damage, including lifelong paralysis.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a muscle control disorder that can develop through pregnancy. A difficult labor can also cause cerebral palsy. A head injury during delivery, lack of oxygen, and other reasons can contribute to a baby developing cerebral palsy.
There can be many other birth injuries. Some birth injuries have detrimental health effects that can last an entire lifetime. Birth injuries can be the result of medical errors and medical malpractice.
A birth injury can cause immense financial consequences as well as responsibility for lifelong care.
If your baby was hurt due to medical malpractice, you may be able to sue the medical provider and recover compensation that can help with medical costs and other expenses. Your Los Angeles childbirth and infant injury lawyer can help you initiate a claim.
Detecting Birth Injuries
Unfortunately, birth injuries can go undetected for quite some time. Sometimes it can take years until a doctor or family member notices any symptoms or delays in the development of the child. Some signs of a birth injury can include:
- Preferring to use one arm over the other
- Missing normal developmental milestones for their age
- Having stiff or weak muscles
- Seizures
There can also be other delayed signs and symptoms. If you notice any unusual symptoms on your baby, you should discuss them with your medical provider as soon as possible. If your doctor determines that your child is suffering from a birth injury, you can work with your Los Angeles childbirth and infant injury lawyer to find out about any legal options open to you.
For a free legal consultation with a Childbirth and Infant Injury Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Compensation May Be Available
Caring for a child with a birth injury can be challenging as well as costly. If the baby is the victim of a medical mistake, you could potentially receive compensation that can help with the daily costs of caring for your injured child. This can include:
- Medical equipment
- Costs to adapt your home to the needs of your child
- Doctor’s visits
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Medications
- Hiring a home help or caregiver
- Other medical and out-of-pocket costs related to the birth injury
You could also receive other compensation, for example, for physical or emotional pain and suffering. If the medical provider or hospital acted recklessly in causing the birth injury, you could potentially also receive punitive damages.
How We Can Help You Seek Justice
Even if you are not sure whether you have a medical malpractice claim regarding your child’s injury, contact us. We can evaluate your case and advise you. If your child is the victim of medical malpractice, you have the right to hold the responsible party accountable. We could help you with your claim in the following ways, among others:
- Advising you on legal matters
- Collecting the applicable records and evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting with medical experts
- Negotiating with insurances
- Representing you in court
If it comes to a medical malpractice claim, we will also need some information from you, including medical records and bills, insurance information, prescription medicine details, and any documents related to the birth injury claim.
Medical malpractice lawsuits are rarely straightforward and can be lengthy as well as complex, potentially requiring expert witnesses and a considerable amount of evidence. Be prepared for hospitals and other medical providers to fight your claim vigorously.
You do not need to attempt this on your own, though. Your Los Angeles childbirth and infant injury lawyer can help you with your medical malpractice claim and can fight for you and your child’s rights and compensation.
Do not wait when initiating legal action. The California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.5 gives claimants a relatively short timeframe when it comes to medical malpractice. You generally have to file a lawsuit within a year from when you discovered the injury or within three years of the date of the injury.
If someone else’s carelessness is responsible for your baby’s suffering, you could hold them responsible. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today and speak to one of our team members about your childbirth and infant injury case. Reach us at (800) 794-0444.
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