No parent wants to think about the possibility of their child being injured during birth, but unfortunately, it does happen. If you find yourself in this situation, it is essential to know what to do next. One of the first steps you should consider is to consult with a birth injury and accident lawyer who can help determine if you have a case. Contact GOLDLAW today to schedule your free consultation.
Common Birth Injuries
There are many different types of birth injuries, ranging from minor injuries that heal independently to more severe injuries that require medical intervention and can have long-term consequences. Some of the most common types of birth injuries include:
Cerebral Palsy: This neurological condition can be caused by an injury to the brain during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after birth. Symptoms often include muscle weakness, poor coordination, and problems with speech and vision.
Erb’s Palsy: This condition affects the nerves in the shoulder and arm, resulting in paralysis of those muscles. It is most often caused by damage to the nerves during delivery.
Shoulder Dystocia: This can occur when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvis during delivery. Shoulder dystocia can often be resolved without lasting damage, but in some cases, it can cause nerve damage or even broken bones.
Skull Fractures: These can occur when too much force is used during delivery, resulting in a broken skull. Skull fractures can lead to serious complications later in life. A fracture to the skull can cause blood clots, which can, in turn, lead to strokes or other serious neurological problems.
Hypoxia: Hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain, can also cause irreparable damage. In some cases, it can lead to coma or even death.
Recoverable Damages for Birth Injuries in Florida
In Florida, two primary types of damages are recoverable in a birth injury claim: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are awarded for financial losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages are awarded for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. In some cases, the court may also award punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious.
GOLDLAW Can Help With Your Birth Injury Claim
No parent should have to go through the trauma of seeing their child suffer a birth injury. If you find yourself in this situation, know that you are not alone, and help is available. GOLDLAW can help you in the following ways:
1. Establish Fault
To recover compensation for a birth injury, you must prove that someone is responsible. Our experienced birth injury lawyers will show that your doctor’s care fell below the standard level of care, which led to the injuries sustained by you and/or your child.
2. Establish Severity of Injuries
To receive compensation for your/your child’s injuries, you will need to show that they are severe and have caused you financial hardship. Medical records and bills can be used as evidence of the severity of your injuries. We will obtain all this documentation so you can focus on yourself and your family at this difficult time.
3. Calculate Damages
To receive compensation for your injuries, you will need to calculate the total damages you have incurred. This can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic damages.
If you need help with a claim involving birth injuries, contact us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.