When the joy of welcoming a newborn into the world turns to distress due to preventable medical errors, families need compassionate legal support. An experienced Sonoma Birth Injury Attorney can file a claim and secure compensation for the family.
A California lawyer specializing in birth injuries helps clients file lawsuits against doctors and hospitals to recover compensation for the injuries they suffered during childbirth. They can help recover compensation for past and future medical expenses, emotional distress, and disability or disfigurement.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the result of malformations or damage to areas of the brain that control muscle movements. The effects of CP can range from mild to severe.
Children with CP can suffer from an inability to move properly, a loss of motor coordination, muscle spasticity that contorts the arms and legs, dislocated hips, drooling, crossed or lazy eyes (strabismus), and intellectual disability.
A cerebral palsy lawsuit may be filed to recover compensation for a lifetime of medical treatment, surgeries, ongoing care costs, and other damages. A medical expert will review your child’s case to identify potential signs of medical malpractice and help you pursue a claim. Most CP cases are settled out of court. Your personal injury lawyer will handle the negotiations and ensure that your child receives a fair settlement.
Erb’s palsy
When a baby’s arm is affected by Erb’s palsy, symptoms include weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. These symptoms occur when a brachial plexus nerve is injured during delivery. They can range from numbness to full paralysis. This injury may be caused by pressure on the shoulders during a complicated birth, pulling too hard during a forceps delivery, or a breech presentation.
Medical professionals should be trained to know how to safely resolve shoulder dystocia and other complications without injuring the child or mother. When they don’t uphold this standard, a doctor may be guilty of medical malpractice. A lawsuit could help parents obtain compensation to cover long-term care. The settlement could also cover medical expenses, therapy, and adaptive devices. Some children with this condition will never fully recover.
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of birth injury that occurs when a newborn’s brain gets insufficient oxygen or blood flow. It can be caused by medical negligence or improper care during labor and delivery, which is why it’s crucial that healthcare professionals adhere to the appropriate standards of care.
HIE has two stages: primary energy failure happens when the brain is deprived of oxygen and blood flow; reperfusion injury occurs as damaged cells release toxins into the surrounding tissue. It is critical to diagnose and treat the condition during a window of opportunity that can decrease long-term complications.
Depending on the severity of an HIE case, an injured infant may require lifelong care that can be very costly. A qualified HIE lawyer can help a family get the compensation they deserve.
Skull fractures
A skull fracture is a break in one or more of a baby’s skull bones, usually caused by pressure during birth. These soft, flexible bones are designed to move slightly when a baby is being born but can crack and indent under excessive force during a difficult delivery. This type of injury can cause brain damage, intellectual delays, and other long-term problems that require lifelong care and treatment.
Parents who believe their child’s skull fracture was caused by medical malpractice may be able to file a lawsuit. However, proving medical negligence in this type of case can be complicated and requires the help of an experienced birth injury lawyer. Without a lawyer, families can miss important deadlines and risk losing their right to compensation.
Spinal cord injuries
The spinal cord is critical for sending signals from the brain to the rest of the body. If it is injured, movement and sensation can suffer.
Symptoms of spinal cord injuries include neck pain, incoordination or weakness. If a person has an incomplete injury, they may be able to move their arms and legs, though they will not feel sensations or movement below the site of the injury.
A spinal cord injury can significantly disrupt a family’s life. It requires specialized medical care and often leads to costly future treatments, adaptive equipment and ongoing therapy. Filing a claim against a negligent doctor can help a family secure financial compensation for their losses.