The birth of a child is an event of incomparable joy for most parents. But that joy can quickly turn to sorrow when the healthcare professionals to whom you entrusted the life and health of your baby did something wrong, whether from lack of proper training or carelessness, and your tiny, vulnerable child is harmed and may never lead a normal life. A baby with health problems is sad in any circumstances, but knowing that a trusted professional deprived your child of the gift of good health is a tragedy no parent should have to face.
Preventable mistakes make innocent victims
When doctors, nurses, and other delivery room personnel fail to deliver the expected standard of care, things go wrong. This could mean performing an unneeded medical intervention, performing a needed intervention improperly, or failing to perform a needed medical intervention. Medical personnel are—or should be—trained to know the difference and to act accordingly.
Birth injuries often caused by medical error
If your baby was born with one of these conditions, it may be a sign that an error was made, the standard of care was breached, and that medical malpractice was committed:
- Cerebral palsy: Brain damage affecting muscle function and movement, usually caused by a lack of oxygen during delivery.
- Erb’s palsy: Nerve damage caused by shoulder dystocia in the birth of a large baby that affects control the movement of the arms, hands, and fingers
- Fractures: Broken arms, legs, collarbone, skull
- Facial paralysis: Facial nerves damaged during delivery
- Cephalohematoma: Pooled blood under the tissue covering the skull
- Vacuum suction injures or forceps injuries: Bruising, swelling, lacerations on the head caused by incorrect application of forceps or excessive vacuum suction
If you think your child was a victim of medical malpractice . . .
If your child suffered an injury at birth, you should consult an attorney experienced in birth injury cases. You may be able to receive financial compensation for your child’s medical needs, pain and suffering, and disability. These children often require surgery, physical and occupational therapy, special equipment, round-the-clock care, or special education. An birth injury attorney will work with medical professionals to evaluate the child’s medical records to determine if and how a medical error was made that caused the child’s condition, will obtain documentation of all expenses related to the birth injury, and will make projections as to future expenses for necessary treatment, care, services, equipment, and supplies.
Why You Need a Birth Injury Expert
Birth injury law is a specialized area of medical malpractice law. An attorney who handles birth injury litigation understands the pain your family is suffering because your child was harmed by a preventable medical error. It is important to consult with an experienced birth injury attorney as soon as you suspect that your baby’s problems might have been caused by something your doctor, nurse, or midwife did or failed to do before, during, or after the birth. Your baby deserves enough compensation so you can feel secure that you will always be able to provide for his or her needs.
In Phoenix, Arizona, the birth injury attorneys at Wattel and York are here for you and your family. We are committed to fighting for your child’s needs. Call today to schedule an appointment for a case analysis. It costs you nothing to hire us to help secure your child’s future. There are no fees unless an until we win money for you.
