June 19, 2023 | Publications

Things Parents Should Know After a Child Has Suffered a Birth Injury

In an ideal world, childbirth would be a universally joyous event, unfettered by complications or mishaps. Yet, this vision is often upended by the harsh reality of birth injuries. A birth injury, characterized as physical harm or impairment inflicted upon an infant during the process of childbirth, can inflict significant challenges and hardships upon the child and their family.

The ramifications of these injuries extend beyond the physical health of the child, impacting the emotional, psychological, and financial well-being of the entire family. As a consequence, it becomes absolutely imperative for parents to arm themselves with comprehensive knowledge about their child’s birth injury, empowering them to effectively navigate through this complex terrain.

Understand the Nature of the Birth Injury

Birth injuries can manifest in various forms, ranging from mild to severe. Here are some common types of birth injuries:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy)
  • Perinatal Asphyxia
  • Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
  • Intracranial Hemorrhage or Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
  • Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma
  • Fractures
  • Facial Paralysis

While this list is not exhaustive, it provides an overview of some of the most common types of birth injuries. These injuries can arise from a myriad of factors including complications during labor, underlying maternal health issues, or lapses in medical judgment.

Seek Appropriate Medical Care and Interventions

The importance of early diagnosis and intervention in managing a child’s health and improving their quality of life cannot be overstated. A gamut of treatments may be employed depending on the severity and nature of the injury, ranging from physical and occupational therapy to more intensive surgical interventions.

Beyond the physical realm, the emotional and psychological well-being of the child and the family is a vital consideration. Coping with a birth injury can be a stressful, taxing experience. Hence, securing emotional support and psychological assistance is an essential part of the recovery journey.

Legal Considerations and Options

In some situations, birth injuries may be the unfortunate result of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is a legal term that refers to a situation where a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse, deviates from the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. In the context of birth injuries, this could mean that a doctor failed to adequately monitor a fetus during labor, made incorrect decisions during a complicated delivery, or improperly used medical instruments, among other things.

In such instances, the assistance provided by birth injury attorneys, like Karasik Law Group based in New York, can prove invaluable. These specialized lawyers are skilled in navigating the complexities of medical malpractice and birth injury laws. They work tirelessly to advocate for the rights of families and children who have suffered from birth injuries, ensuring that they receive the compensation they deserve for the harm caused.

It’s important for parents to understand their rights and the legal options available to them under birth injury laws.

  • Parents should know that they have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, long-term care, and pain and suffering.
  • Parents also have the right to demand accountability from the healthcare professionals responsible for the birth injury.

However, it’s important to note that there’s a specific time frame, known as the statute of limitations, within which a lawsuit must be filed. This time frame varies from state to state, but it is generally a few years from the date of the injury or from the time the injury was discovered. If a lawsuit is not filed within this period, you may lose the right to sue. This makes swift, timely action essential when pursuing a medical malpractice claim.

In short, the complexities of medical malpractice cases necessitate the services of experienced legal professionals. Karasik Law Group, a leading birth injury attorney group, offers a free consultation and is well-equipped to provide guidance and support for families dealing with the aftermath of a birth injury.

Understanding the nature of your child’s birth injury, securing appropriate medical care, comprehending your legal rights and responsibilities, and forging connections with support networks are pivotal steps in managing a birth injury. The knowledge and awareness you accrue through this process are invaluable tools in advocating for your child’s needs and rights.

At Karasik Law Group, our attorneys are experienced in birth injury and other medical malpractice lawsuits.  Our office just closed a case for $350,000.00 for a birth injury case involving a vacuum delivery. If your child was injured due to improper or negligent care by a medical professional, Highly Regarded Law Firm Karasik Law Group will fight for your family’s right to compensation for every dollar you are entitled to under the law.  Call us to today at (718) 502-9112 to schedule a Free Consultation. And be sure to visit our website at www.karasiklawyers.com. At Karasik Law Group, winning matters. Win with us! We speak for the injured; our results speak for themselves.