There are many causes of birth injuries, many of which stem from the negligence of a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other medical provider. When injury, physical trauma, or death are the result of medical malpractice, families have the right to seek compensation for damages.
Birth injuries include suffering or damage to a fetus, infant, or mother during or around the time of birth or the birthing process. These injuries can cause life-threatening complications, lasting conditions, and catastrophic outcomes that impact entire families.
Negligence can impact a birth in many ways, taking form in the improper dosage of medication, improper use of medical instruments, delayed birth, or improper reading of ultrasounds or fetal monitoring strips. Depending on causation, birth injuries can manifest in numerous ways including learning impairment, physical deformity, critical illness, as well as fatality.
If your family was impacted by medical negligence that caused a birth injury, do not hesitate to contact the experienced team at The Fitzgerald Law Firm. Due to the nature of medical malpractice cases, waiting can cause further complications with the filing of your claim. Our team of experienced birth injury attorneys can help you understand the specifics of your case, file your lawsuit per state statute of limitations and notice requirements, and use our resources to stand up to large hospitals and healthcare companies.
Birth Injuries in the U.S.
Despite having access to the most advanced medical technology in the world, the United States maintains the highest rates of birth and maternal mortality, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research by The Commonwealth Fund correlated the high occurrences of birth injuries in babies and mothers in the U.S. to shortcomings in our public healthcare systems.
Families trust the expertise of medical personnel to safely bring their unborn children into the world. Understaffed hospitals, carelessness, and systemic issues can all contribute to negligence during the birth and delivery process.
In Wyoming, as well as many other states, negligence is the failure to use ordinary care. Ordinary care describes the degree of care that is reasonably expected of a medical professional. In the medical field, a physician or specialist must meet the standard of care by providing an expected level of knowledge and skill and by demonstrating the care and skill ordinarily used by reputable professionals practicing in the same field and under similar circumstances.
Common Examples of Birth Injuries
The Fitzgerald Law Firm has over forty years of experience handling all forms of litigation surrounding birth injuries. We help families navigate their rights and take legal action against negligent healthcare providers who cause permanent and catastrophic injuries to babies and mothers.
Some examples of medical negligence that can lead to a birth injury include:
- Failure to order a medically necessary C-section
- The use of excessive force to remove a child from the birth canal
- The inappropriate use of tools like forceps or vacuums
- Failure to monitor a baby for signs of fetal distress, such as oxygen deprivation
Inappropriate administration of anesthesia or medication
Common examples of birth injuries seen throughout our years in practice include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Head trauma
- Oxygen deprivation
- Premature birth
- Cephalohematoma
- Fractures
- Wrongful death
The extent of injuries correlates to the damages you can seek in a claim. Our team of experienced birth injury attorneys can help you understand the specific damages you can claim in your lawsuit and what your family needs to begin rebuilding your lives.
When to Contact an Attorney
When a child or mother is critically injured at the hands of a medical professional or institution, it is important to seek legal counsel from an experienced birth injury attorney promptly. Initiating legal action against the medical professionals responsible for the preventable injury can help your family seek financial compensation for ongoing medical care and treatment as well as pain and suffering.
Birth injuries can be devastating and life-altering for your entire family. If your child sustained injuries, or your child died due to an error or negligence during the birth process, contact the team of experienced birth injury attorneys at The Fitzgerald Law Firm. Our firm has delivered extraordinary results for clients all over the United States with our cornerstone belief: finding the truth and justice.
Contact us today to schedule an assessment of your case, and to learn what legal options are available.