The 3 Greatest Moments In Birth Injury Litigation History

Author : Schneider Thomasen | Published On : 15 May 2024

Filing a Birth Injury Lawsuit

Medical negligence during labor and delivery can cause permanent birth injuries that require a lifetime of treatment. The filing of a lawsuit to obtain financial compensation can help parents afford the medical treatment of their child and help ensure a better standard of living.

Legally proving medical malpractice requires strong evidence. Lawyers establish a case through reviewing medical records and identifying all potentially liable parties.

Medical Malpractice

Although the US is one of the most advanced medical systems however, serious injuries are frequent during childbirth. These accidents often have lasting effects on the victim's quality of life. Parents of children who suffer from injuries like these must be accountable to the medical professionals at fault and seek fair compensation.


Your lawyer will consult with financial experts and medical experts to determine the severity of harm your child has suffered. This will be determined by their present and future needs including medications, therapies or caregiving costs, changes to your home, medical equipment, and other costs. They are also known as "damages."

You should be aware that many states limit the amount of compensation awarded in medical malpractice cases. This is especially for non-economic damages like pain and discomfort. You may be able to circumvent this limit if you employ an experienced lawyer to prove your claim.

Your child's injuries, in contrast to birth defects that are caused by genetics and not caused by negligence on the part of doctors, can have a significant impact on the future of your child. This is why it's crucial that you select a skilled lawyer who understands these types of claims and can assist you to reach a fair settlement, or verdict. They will also be prepared to take your case all the way through trial, should it be necessary.

Birth Injury

A birth injury can involve harm to a baby or mother. Examples include a cephalohematoma, which is when bleeding under the cranium forms a bump that is raised after a birth and could be the result of forceps usage; subgaleal hemorrhage that involves blood directly under the scalp and is more severe than a cephalohematoma; and brachial palsy, which refers to the nerves of the shoulder, arm and hand that are overstretched or torn by a difficult birth such as one involving the shoulder getting stuck inside the pelvis (called shoulder dystocia).

Other injuries include brain trauma due to lack of oxygen or broken skull bones. A medical malpractice claim can also involve claims for other damages, including economic and non-economic damages for pain and suffering and lost future income. Some claims also seek punitive damages to punish defendants for their extreme negligence or inconsideration of the life of a patient.

A good lawyer can help parents quickly and frequently obtain and examine medical records. This can reduce the risk that the records is lost or destroyed. Lawyers may also mail a demand letter to the doctor and hospital's malpractice insurer to request a settlement amount for the claim. A demand package usually includes an explanation of the accident and how it affected the baby and family. A malpractice insurance provider will typically respond with a settlement offer or refusing to settle.

Statute of limitations

If you suspect your child was injured at birth due to medical malpractice, you must get their medical records as soon as possible. If you put off the request for too long, there is a higher chance that the records will be lost, altered, or destroyed. If you wait too long, it could compromise your ability to make claims that are strong and secure an appropriate amount of compensation.

A doctor or another medical professional may make a range of errors during delivery and labor. Some of these mistakes can cause serious injuries such as the inability to breathe during birth (hypoxia). Medical malpractice could be a result of a medical professional's failing to take the proper action during these crucial moments.

In the majority of cases victims have three years to file a medical negligence suit from the time of the negligent act or negligence. New York law has a special rule which extends the time limit to ten years for claims that involve children.

Legal guardianship or a parent must generally bring the claim for a minor, as they cannot sue themselves. This is why it is crucial to work with an experienced New York birth injury lawyer who is knowledgeable of these cases and who can fight the high-pressure tactics that are frequently employed by insurance companies in these types of disputes.

Filing a Lawsuit

The actions of a medical professional can cause children to develop life-threatening conditions that require long term care. These injuries may require a lifetime of care that can have significant cost to the financial. A legal claim can help families pay for the needed treatments and other expenses.

A birth injury lawsuit begins by the proof that the medical professional involved in the incident owed a duty to the plaintiff. The law states that a medical professional must exercise the care and competence normally provided by experts in their field in similar circumstances. A medical expert is required to determine whether the doctor has met the requirements of this standard. The expert will also testify regarding the circumstances that led to the injury and if it was caused by the negligence of the medical provider.

A person who believes that a medical error was the cause of the injury must prove the medical professional's negligence by failing to adhere to the usual standards of care. It is important to show that the medical professional made a decision negligently or in recklessness. It is not unusual for a doctor to vehemently defend themselves against allegations of malpractice.

After a trial, the jury will look at the damages that are appropriate for the circumstances. This could encompass a broad variety of damages, including past and future medical bills therapies, medicines, and equipment. It is important to note that in New York, a court-approved settlement or lawsuit judgment allows the victim of injury to enroll in the Medical Indemnity Fund for medical benefits that are related to their injury.