Legal Support After A Birth Injury
The birth of a child is a joyous occasion, but it can also be a time of great stress and anxiety. For some families, the joy of childbirth is overshadowed by the pain of a birth injury.
A birth injury is any injury that occurs to a baby during or immediately after birth. Birth injuries can be caused by many factors, including:
- Medical malpractice is when a doctor or other health care provider fails to provide the standard of care that a reasonable health care provider would have provided in the same situation.
- Obstetrical complications occur when something goes wrong during childbirth, such as a difficult delivery or premature birth.
- Genetic disorders are when a baby is born with a genetic condition that can cause congenital disabilities.
When your child is experiencing the consequences of a birth injury, it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. At Wiseman Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the challenges that come with a newborn with a birth injury. In some cases, these injuries can cause lifelong complications for you and your child. We can help you through your birth injury case so that you can your family can find a way forward.
Common Birth Complications
Some of the most common complications that can happen during birth include:
- Cephalohematoma
- Subgaleal hemorrhage
- Fractures
- Erb’s palsy
- Klumpke’s palsy
- Cerebral palsy
In many cases, doctors and medical personnel might withhold information about errors that occurred during childbirth. Some of the reasons include:
- Fear of being sued: Doctors often fear being sued if they admit to making an error.
- A desire to protect their reputation: Admitting an error can impact a doctor’s reputation within the medical community and with future patients.
- A belief that the error was not significant: Doctors may also believe that the error was not significant and that the baby will not be harmed.
Unfortunately, when medical professionals are unwilling to admit a medical error, it can make getting treatment and seeking recovery difficult for parents. Being persistent and seeking knowledgeable legal guidance if your baby was injured during birth is essential.
Can Birth Injuries Be Prevented?
While many birth injuries include unique circumstances, there are birth injuries that can be prevented. Some of the ways to prevent birth injuries include:
- Having a healthy pregnancy: Focusing on eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking prenatal vitamins can help expecting parents avoid some birth injuries.
- Getting regular prenatal care: This is important for identifying and addressing any potential problems with the pregnancy.
- Choosing a qualified health care provider: Choosing a health care provider with experience delivering babies is essential.
- Having a planned delivery: This can help ensure that the baby is delivered safely and on time.
- Being informed about the risks of childbirth: It is important to be aware of the risks of delivery so that you can make informed decisions about your care.
Keep in mind, while there are things you can do to have a healthier pregnancy, your medical team must maintain a certain standard of care for you and your baby. When they breach that standard of care, they may be liable for the injuries you or your baby experience.
Determining If There Was Negligence
If you believe your child has been injured due to medical malpractice, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you determine if there was negligence and what your legal options are.
Some of the factors that an attorney will consider when determining if there was negligence include:
- The standard of care that should have been provided
- Whether the health care provider met the standard of care
- Whether the health care provider’s negligence caused the injury
When these circumstances arise and result in an injury, a skilled lawyer can help you get the evidence and information to move forward with a case against the medical personnel responsible.
Contact The Wiseman Law Firm, PLLC, Today
We have the experience and resources to fight for your rights and help you seek the most favorable outcome possible. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 304-314-4768 or contact us online to make an appointment in our office next to Parkersburg.