Preventable birth injuries are usually the last thing new parents expect to experience. Unfortunately, medical negligence during labor and delivery or mistakes during the birth process can have devastating consequences.
A delay in interventions when an infant is in distress, for example, could lead to permanent brain damage. Mistakes made while administering interventions could also cause life-altering consequences. Parents making drastic modifications to their plans because their new child has significant birth injuries may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Those seeking financial compensation may need to consider long-term losses carefully to request an appropriate amount from the physician or hospital responsible for their poor birth outcome.
What long-term financial consequences often follow birth injuries?
1. Increased medical expenses for the child
Significant birth defects, including cerebral palsy, are likely to affect the overall health and well-being of the child. They may require more medical care throughout their lives than children born without injuries. Additionally, they may require support from specialists, whose rates are higher than those of general family practitioners. Emergency care and regular interventions, such as physical therapy, can add up to tens of thousands of dollars and increase medical expenses, if not substantially more.
2. Lost earning potential
A parent may choose to leave their job or prioritize caregiving over career development. Birth injury scenarios often lead to much more intensive caregiver requirements for a parent. The family may not have the resources to hire a skilled nursing professional to provide in-home support, or there may be concerns about the standard of care without a parent present to monitor the situation. Parents who choose to act as caregivers make significant sacrifices regarding their earning potential. The family may also need to consider the lost future income of the child, who may never have the same opportunities as children born without birth injuries.
3. Accommodation expenses
The living environment and vehicles used by the family must be accessible for the child with birth injuries. Whether they rely on crutches or a wheelchair, their mobility limitations could affect what they need from a living space and what vehicles can transport them safely. The cost to modify a vehicle or purchase a specialty vehicle is significant, and home modifications can also put pressure on a family’s budget.
A medical malpractice lawsuit brought in response to preventable birth injuries can help families recoup these and other losses. Reviewing the cause and consequences of birth injuries with a skilled legal team can help new parents seek justice on behalf of a child who has sustained an injury during birth.