Birth Injuries in West Palm Beach: We’re Here to Help You
As a parent, you trust medical professionals to provide the highest level of care for you and your baby during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. When they break that trust and your child suffers a preventable injury, it’s natural to feel a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to sadness and despair.
You may face a long road ahead, with extensive medical treatment, therapy, and ongoing care for your child. The financial burden can be staggering, and you may wonder how you’ll cope with the mounting expenses while providing the best possible care for your child.
That’s where a West Palm Beach birth injury lawyer can help you.
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we believe that no family should have to bear the burden of a birth injury alone. Our team of experienced West Palm Beach Personal Injury attorneys is dedicated to fighting for the rights of families affected by medical negligence in West Palm Beach and throughout Florida.
We understand the complex legal and medical issues involved in birth injury cases, and we have the knowledge, skills, and resources to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (561) 556-2813 for a free consultation and learn how we can help you.
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How Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Birth Injury in West Palm Beach, FL
When you choose Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to represent you in your birth injury case, you can expect:
- Compassionate support: We understand the emotional toll a birth injury can take on a family, and we’re here to provide the compassionate support you need during this difficult time. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide the guidance you need to make informed decisions about your case.
- Thorough investigation: Our team will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your child’s birth injury, gathering evidence, reviewing medical records, and consulting with medical experts to build the strongest case possible.
- Skilled negotiation: We’ll work tirelessly with insurance companies and healthcare providers to seek a fair settlement covering your child’s medical expenses, ongoing care, and other damages.
- Aggressive litigation: If the at-fault party won’t negotiate a fair settlement, we prepare to take your case to trial and fight for your rights in court. Our attorneys have a proven track record of success in birth injury cases, and we’ll use our skills and experience to advocate for you and your child.
At all stages of the claims process, you can rely on us for impassioned advocacy and dedicated support. We’re committed to ensuring your child receives the compensation they need for the best possible future.
Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t pay anything upfront for us to represent you. We only collect attorney fees if we recover compensation for you.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is any type of harm that occurs to a baby before, during, or shortly after birth. Birth injuries can range from minor bruising to more serious conditions such as cerebral palsy or brain damage.
What Are Some Common Types of Birth Injuries?
Medical negligence can cause many birth injuries, including:
- Brachial plexus injuries (Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy): These injuries occur when the nerves that control the arms and hands sustain damage during delivery. They are often due to excessive force or improper positioning. Brachial plexus injuries can cause weakness, numbness, or paralysis in the affected arm.
- Cerebral palsy: This group of disorders affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination. They frequently result from brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. Oxygen deprivation, infection, or trauma during delivery can cause brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy.
- Fractures: Babies’ bones are soft and fragile, and difficult deliveries can easily fracture a newborn’s bones. The most common types of fractures include clavicle fractures and skull fractures.
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): This condition occurs when the baby’s brain suffers oxygen deprivation during delivery, leading to brain damage. HIE can cause developmental delays, seizures, and other long-term complications.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can occur when the baby’s spine twists or stretches during delivery, leading to nerve damage and paralysis.
Other birth injuries can occur as well, such as traumatic brain injuries. Seek legal help right away if you believe a healthcare provider’s negligence or wrongdoing hurt your baby.
The Prevalence of Birth Injuries in the United States
Birth injuries are a serious problem in the United States, affecting thousands of families each year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in 33 babies born in the U.S. suffers a birth defect, which can
include birth injuries resulting from medical negligence. This equates to nearly 120,000 infants affected by birth injuries each year.
Some common statistics on birth injuries in the U.S. include:
- Approximately 28,000 babies are born with a birth injury each year.
- The most common types of birth injuries include brachial plexus injuries, cerebral palsy, and fractures.
- The lifetime cost of caring for a child with a birth injury can range from $1 million to over $10 million.
These statistics underscore the prevalence of birth injuries and the exorbitant expenses resulting from them. They also show the importance of seeking legal representation if your child suffered a birth injury due to a medical provider’s negligence.
What Are Some Common Causes of Birth Injuries?
Various factors and scenarios can cause birth injuries, including:
- Delayed or prolonged labor: Prolonged or delayed labor may deprive the baby of oxygen or cause other complications.
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors: Obstetricians sometimes use these tools to assist with delivery. If used improperly, they can injure the baby’s head or neck.
- Failure to monitor fetal distress: If the baby shows signs of distress during labor, such as an abnormal heart rate, and the medical team fails to respond appropriately, it can lead to brain damage or other injuries.
- Failure to perform a timely C-section: If the baby is in distress or labor is not progressing normally, a C-section may need to prevent injury. If the medical team fails to perform a C-section promptly, it can lead to serious complications.
- Improper medication or dosage: If the mother is given the wrong medication or dosage during labor, it can harm the baby or cause complications.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Birth Injury in West Palm Beach, FL?
If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, you may recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: This includes the cost of hospitalization, surgery, medication, therapy, and ongoing medical care related to the birth injury claims.
- Future medical expenses: Many birth injuries require lifelong care, and you may be entitled to compensation for your child’s future medical needs.
- Lost income: If you have to take time off work to care for your child, you may be able to recover lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress the birth injury caused.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If the birth injury has impacted your child’s quality of life, you may recover damages for their lost enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional wrongdoing, you may recover punitive damages. The court may award these damages to punish the responsible party and deter future negligence.
How Do I Prove Liability for My Child’s Birth Injury in West Palm Beach, Florida?
To prove liability for your child’s birth injury, your attorney needs to show that:
- The medical professional or facility owed you and your child a duty of care.
- The medical professional or facility breached that duty of care by acting. You can Sue a Doctor for Negligence or failing to meet the standard of care.
- The breach of duty caused your child’s birth injury.
- Your child suffered damages as a result of the birth injury.
To prove these elements, your attorney will gather evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. They may also consult medical experts to determine whether the standard of care was met and whether the birth injury could have been prevented with proper care.
What’s the Statute of Limitations for Birth Injury Cases in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a birth injury lawsuit is generally two years from when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered.
However, some exceptions apply, such as in cases of fraud or concealment by the medical provider. Speak with an experienced birth injury attorney as soon as possible to collect valuable evidence, protect your rights, and file your case within the applicable statute of limitations.
How Can an Attorney Help Me Recover Damages for Birth Injuries?
An experienced birth injury attorney can recover damages for your child’s injuries in several ways, including
- Investigating your case and the circumstances surrounding your child’s birth injury.
- Gathering evidence and consulting with medical experts to create a strong case for you
- Negotiating with insurance companies and healthcare providers to seek a fair settlement that covers your child’s medical expenses, ongoing care, and other damages
- Representing you in court if the other party refuses to negotiate a fair settlement and presenting a compelling case to a judge or jury
Throughout the claims process, your lawyer will provide invaluable support and guidance. You can rest easier knowing a dedicated legal professional is looking out for your child’s best interests and handling all the legal complexities for you.
Your attorney will be able to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about your case while fighting hard to maximize your financial recovery.
West Palm Beach Birth Injuries FAQs
What are the signs of a birth injury?
The signs of a birth injury can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury, but may include:
- Difficulty breathing or feeding
- Seizures or tremors
- Muscle weakness or paralysis
- Developmental delays or cognitive impairments
- Abnormal physical appearance, such as a misshapen head or asymmetrical facial features
What should I do if I suspect my child has a birth injury?
If you suspect your child has a birth injury, seek medical attention right away. Your child’s doctor can perform a thorough evaluation and recommend appropriate treatment.
Speak with an experienced birth injury attorney to discuss your legal options and protect your rights.
How much does it cost to hire a birth injury attorney?
Most birth injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they recover compensation for you. The fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or award, so you don’t have to pay any upfront costs.
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you can get the legal help you need without any added financial stress.
Contact Our West Palm Beach Birth Injury Attorneys Today
If your child has suffered a birth injury because of a healthcare provider’s negligence or wrongdoing in West Palm Beach, get legal help right away. The sooner you speak with an experienced birth injury attorney, the better your chances of recovering the compensation your child needs and deserves.
The West Palm Beach birth injury attorneys at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers are here for you and your family during this difficult and stressful time. We offer compassionate support and skilled legal representation to improve your chances of getting the maximum compensation you need.
Contact us today at (561) 556-2813 for your free consultation and case evaluation.
We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options. Together, we can hold negligent medical providers accountable and fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.
Visit Our West Palm Beach Law Office
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers
319 Clematis St #203, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 556-7873
Hours: Open 24 hours daily
