Birth injury claims for children with cerebral palsy or developmental delays

Families affected by birth injuries may have legal options

Did your child suffer a serious birth injury? Was it caused by medical malpractice? A birth injury lawyer may be able to help you pursue legal action against the doctors, nurses or hospital responsible.

Complete the form on this page to find out if you qualify.

The birth of a child should be a joyous occasion. Unfortunately, in some cases, childbirth can be physically traumatic. When medical professionals make poor decisions, newborns may suffer serious birth injuries, including:

• Infant brain damage
• Cerebral palsy
• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
• Shoulder dystocia

Parents whose children were injured during childbirth may have the right to pursue a birth injury lawsuit. An experienced birth injury lawyer can help families understand their legal options and guide them through the process.

What is a birth injury?

A birth injury refers to any physical injury or trauma a baby sustains during the labor or delivery process. Unfortunately, birth injury cases are more common than many families realize, with thousands occurring each year.

There are several types of birth injuries, some of which can have long-term or permanent effects. Common examples include:

Infant brain damage: Infant brain damage may result from physical trauma to the head — which is often caused by improper use of delivery tools — or from a lack of oxygen during labor.

Cerebral palsy: Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that can result from abnormal brain development or damage during birth. Symptoms range from mild motor impairment to severe muscle paralysis. Children with cerebral palsy may require lifelong care.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: HIE is caused by reduced oxygen or blood flow to the brain before or during birth. Depending on severity, it can lead to complications, such as seizures, organ damage or developmental delays.

Shoulder dystocia: Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. If not addressed quickly, it can lead to oxygen deprivation or physical injury.

Are birth injuries caused by medical negligence?

While some birth injuries are unavoidable, others are the result of negligence by healthcare professionals. When doctors, nurses or other providers fail to provide the appropriate standard of care, their actions — or inaction — may result in serious harm.

Common examples of medical malpractice that can cause a birth injury include:

• Failure to perform a timely C-section
• Improper use of a vacuum or forceps
• Excessive pulling during delivery
• Failure to diagnose prenatal complications
• Failure to properly monitor the mother or baby
• Medication errors

Unfortunately, this type of medical malpractice occurs more often than many families realize.

Should I file a birth injury lawsuit?

When a birth injury is caused by a medical professional’s negligence, it may be considered medical malpractice. In these cases, families may have the right to pursue a birth injury lawsuit and seek compensation for the harm caused.

While legal action cannot undo the trauma of a birth injury, a birth injury lawsuit may help ease the financial burden by covering medical care, long-term support and other related expenses.

An experienced birth injury lawyer can review your situation, explain your legal options and guide you through each step of the process.

How to take legal action for a birth injury

If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical malpractice, you may have the right to pursue legal action. Families may be eligible to recover compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

Getting started is simple. Complete the confidential form on this page to share your experience and receive a free, no-obligation case review.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.