Parents go through a difficult and shocking experience when their child is born with a birth injury. It can feel even more devastating if the injury was the result of a medical professional’s mistake, one that could have been prevented if the professional was doing his or her job properly. The law provides for ways to help children and parents who were harmed by medical errors. At the Philadelphia law firm of Raynes & Lawn, we are passionately dedicated to seeking justice when medical negligence causes birth injuries.
In Philadelphia, medical professionals have a legal obligation to do their work in a way that measures up to certain specified standards of care. If their actions fall below that standard, then they can be found to be negligent. If their negligence causes harm to a patient, then the medical professional could be liable for medical malpractice.
When medical professionals or institutions, such as hospitals, are negligent, then they can be sued and may have to pay damages. These damages may include payments to help compensate patients and their families for current and future medical bills, as well as other expenses that are necessary because of the birth injury, such as the cost of rehabilitation, therapy, attendants, and special equipment, both for now and for the future. Compensation may also include payments for pain and suffering and for future lost income.
To prove that a medical professional is negligent, you must have testimony from medical experts. Hiring an experienced and dedicated birth injury attorney is the best way to ensure that you will be able to get the right experts working on your behalf to present the strongest case possible.
In Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania, you can generally file a lawsuit for birth injuries at any time before the child who was injured turns 20 years old. Even if the injured child is now a teenager, it is not too late to seek compensation. However, in other states, you may have much less time to file a lawsuit for birth injuries, so you should always consult an experienced birth injury attorney in your state to find out exactly what the law is that applies to you.
Philadelphia birth injury lawyers will investigate what went wrong during the birth and hire experts to determine if the medical personnel involved failed to meet the applicable standards of care. This area of law is highly technical and complex. It’s important that you choose a birth injury lawyer who has an advanced level of knowledge and experience with cases that are similar to yours.
Birth injuries can affect any part of a child’s body or nervous system. These are some of the more common birth injuries:
Some birth injuries are apparent right after the child is born. Other times, you may not know there was a birth injury until later, sometimes even years later.
Birth injuries may unfortunately cause lifelong problems, which can include physical disabilities, psychological problems, cognitive impairments, and learning difficulties. People who were injured at birth may require special care and medical attention throughout their lives.
Mistakes made by any medical personnel during labor and delivery may cause birth injuries. Doctors, nurses, midwives, anesthesiologists, and other medical personnel involved in the birth may cause harm by failing to provide proper care. Hospitals and birthing centers can also be negligent. In addition, if the equipment used during labor and delivery was dangerously defective, the equipment manufacturer may also be liable for damages.
Birth injuries are not always caused by negligence, but when they are, the affected children and their parents may be eligible for compensation to help them deal with the present and long-term consequences of the injuries.
The experienced Philadelphia birth injury lawyers at Raynes & Lawn bring experience, dedication, and a passion for justice to every case that we undertake. We are well-known for our commitment to our clients. Our firm has been a respected leader in the Philadelphia legal community for more than half a century, and our excellence has been recognized by our top ratings at SuperLawyers, U.S. News and World Report, and Martindale-Hubbell.
We have the experience and knowledge to find and work with the best medical experts, to obtain all the documents needed to persuasively prove your case, and to negotiate with the high-powered lawyers hired by doctors and hospitals. We are experienced trial lawyers and aggressively pursue your best interests whether we are negotiating a settlement or arguing your case before a jury.
Each birth injury lawyer Philadelphia parents rely on understands the problems that families face when they have a birth-injured child. We take our responsibilities to our clients seriously because we know just how much is at stake. We are relentless in pursuing justice and fair compensation because we know what a difference that can make in helping ensure that birth-injured children are able to get the help they may need for the rest of their lives.
We would be glad to talk to you, find out more about your child, and discuss how we may be able to help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us at any time to make an appointment to meet in our convenient Philadelphia office on Walnut Street.
For the general public: This Blog/Website is made available by the law firm publisher, Raynes & Lawn, for educational purposes. It provides general information and a general understanding of the law but does not provide specific legal advice. By using this site, commenting on posts, or sending inquiries through the site or contact email, you confirm that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Website publisher. The Blog/Website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
For attorneys: This Blog/Website is informational in nature and is not a substitute for legal research or a consultation on specific matters pertaining to your clients. Due to the dynamic nature of legal doctrines, what might be accurate one day may be inaccurate the next. As such, the contents of this blog must not be relied upon as a basis for arguments to a court or for your advice to clients without, again, further research or a consultation with our professionals.
Sources
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=birth-injury-90-P02340
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Jaundice is a common condition in newborn infants, characterized by a yellowing of the baby’s skin and eyes caused by the buildup of excess bilirubin in their bloodstream. Bilirubin is released when red blood cells break down in the liver, and if the liver cannot process it adequately, it can accumulate in the blood and cause a yellow appearance. While most cases of infant jaundice are short-lived and will quickly go away with exposure to sunlight, some infants develop jaundice that does not go away very easily. This can be serious and require prompt management and treatment, as untreated jaundice can progress into kernicterus, a rare but serious condition that results in brain damage. Kernicterus can occur when excess levels of bilirubin build up in the brain due to untreated jaundice, and bilirubin can become toxic and cause hyperbilirubinemia, leading to damage to the central nervous system, including the brain. Infants are susceptible to jaundice because their liver doesn’t finish developing until up to two years following birth. Infant jaundice is very common and affects up to 60% of newborns. Among infants who are born before 36 weeks of gestation, jaundice affects an average of 80%. Kernicterus can cause damage to the brain and central nervous system and lead to multiple symptoms and complications. Kernicterus can result when an infant’s severe jaundice is not properly treated. The primary cause of jaundice is hyperbilirubinemia, which is excess bilirubin that is released into the blood when old red blood cells are broken down. Jaundice in newborns can also be caused by an underlying condition and might appear either earlier or later than physiologic jaundice. There are several risk factors for infant jaundice, including risk factors for severe jaundice that can result in kernicterus, such as preterm birth, bruising during labor and delivery, and incompatible blood types between the mother and infant.
Kernicterus is a rare but serious condition that can occur when high levels of bilirubin build up in a newborn’s blood. Some signs of kernicterus include:
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is essential to take your baby to a doctor immediately. Early detection and treatment can prevent brain damage caused by kernicterus. Learn more about Kernicterus
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement and posture. It can occur due to brain damage or abnormal development of the brain during or shortly after birth. In some cases, cerebral palsy may be caused by medical malpractice, such as when a medical professional fails to provide adequate care during childbirth, leading to brain damage.
If a child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical malpractice, it may be considered a malpractice issue. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the standard of care that is expected of them, resulting in harm to the patient. In the case of cerebral palsy, this may occur when medical professionals fail to recognize and treat conditions such as fetal distress, which can lead to oxygen deprivation and brain damage.
It’s important to note that not all cases of cerebral palsy are the result of medical malpractice. Sometimes cerebral palsy occurs due to factors outside of medical professionals’ control, such as genetic mutations or infections during pregnancy. If you suspect that your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by medical malpractice, it’s important to seek the advice of a qualified medical malpractice attorney who can help you determine whether or not you have a case. Read more
The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit for a child with cerebral palsy varies depending on the state in which the incident occurred. In most states, the statute of limitations is two to three years from the time the injury occurred or when it was discovered. However, some states may have different time limits, and there may be exceptions depending on the circumstances of the case.
It is important to consult with a qualified attorney as soon as possible if you believe your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical malpractice. They can help you understand the statute of limitations in your state and assist you in filing a lawsuit before the deadline passes. Delaying action may result in losing the right to pursue legal action and seeking compensation for your child’s injuries. Read More
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. While the exact cause of CP is not always known, there are several risk factors that have been associated with the condition.
Some of the most common risk factors for cerebral palsy include premature birth, low birth weight, multiple births (such as twins or triplets), birth complications (such as prolonged labor, breech presentation, and umbilical cord problems), and infections during pregnancy (such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis).
Other risk factors include head injuries, brain infections (such as meningitis or encephalitis), and genetic mutations or disorders. In some cases, cerebral palsy may also be caused by medical negligence or malpractice during labor and delivery.
It’s important to note that having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that a child will develop cerebral palsy. However, being aware of these risk factors can help doctors and parents take steps to minimize a child’s risk and ensure that they receive the best possible care and treatment. Read More
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. While the exact cause of CP is not always known, there are several risk factors that have been associated with the condition.
Some of the most common risk factors for cerebral palsy include premature birth, low birth weight, multiple births (such as twins or triplets), birth complications (such as prolonged labor, breech presentation, and umbilical cord problems), and infections during pregnancy (such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis).
Other risk factors include head injuries, brain infections (such as meningitis or encephalitis), and genetic mutations or disorders. In some cases, cerebral palsy may also be caused by medical negligence or malpractice during labor and delivery.
It’s important to note that having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that a child will develop cerebral palsy. However, being aware of these risk factors can help doctors and parents take steps to minimize a child’s risk and ensure that they receive the best possible care and treatment. Read More
Hiring a birth injury lawyer can be beneficial in several ways. Birth injuries can have lifelong consequences, and a lawyer can help you seek compensation for the damages caused.
Here are some reasons why you may want to consider hiring a birth injury lawyer:
If your child has suffered a birth injury, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A birth injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and work towards securing the compensation you and your child deserve. Learn More
In some cases, a doctor or healthcare provider may be responsible for a child’s cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that can be caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. Medical negligence or malpractice during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can result in brain damage that causes cerebral palsy.
Here are some examples of situations where a doctor or healthcare provider may be responsible for cerebral palsy:
If you suspect that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence or malpractice, it is important to seek legal advice. A birth injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and work towards holding the responsible parties accountable. Read the full article Could My Doctor Be Responsible for My Child’s Cerebral Palsy?
Birth defects and birth injuries are two different conditions that can affect newborns. Here are the main differences between them:
It is important to note that birth defects and birth injuries can both have a significant impact on the child’s health and development. If you have concerns about your child’s condition, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider and, if necessary, seek legal advice. Be sure to read the full article “What Are the Differences Between Birth Defects & Birth Injuries?“
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