Standing Up For Families Harmed By Birth Injuries
When the medical professionals tasked with bringing a child into the world do not do their duty, their mistakes can do irrevocable damage to both mother and child. Families dealing with the life-changing consequences of these errors deserve to have experienced help as they pursue justice.
At The Masters Law Firm, L.C., our experienced medical malpractice attorneys have a proven track record of standing up for West Virginia mothers and children who have been impacted by birth injuries. Our lawyers take the time to understand the impact that these injuries have on families and go the distance to help them pursue the compensation they need.
What Types Of Birth Injuries Impact West Virginia Families?
When health care providers use medical devices improperly, fail to appropriately monitor a mother or child’s health, or make other errors during pregnancy or labor, those mistakes can lead to serious or fatal harm. Medical errors that can lead to long-term challenges for a child or mother include:
- Brain injuries – Physical trauma from a vacuum or forceps and oxygen deprivation can seriously damage the brain, leading to hemorrhages, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).
- Spinal cord injuries – Injuries to the neck during birth can compress or otherwise damage the spinal cord, leading to paralysis, weakness and limited sensation below the injury.
- Cerebral palsy – Injury to the brain and infections during pregnancy can lead to cerebral palsy.
- Failure to detect and treat maternal conditions – During pregnancy, a mother’s health has a direct impact on the developing baby, and doctors must properly treat any health issues that arise. Conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and hypertension all impact both the mother’s health and the child’s development.
- Shoulder dystocia – When a baby’s shoulders become stuck during delivery, the nerves between the neck and arms may pull or tear.
Is It Too Late To Take Legal Action?
The impact of a birth injury can last a lifetime, but families only have a limited amount of time to seek justice after a birth injury. Generally, families have up to two years after the injury to file a lawsuit against negligent health care providers. As a result, families may want to seek guidance as soon as possible to ensure that they meet these deadlines.
How Can An Experienced Birth Injury Attorney Help?
First, an experienced attorney can help you identify whether your doctor or other health care provider could have prevented the injury to either mother or child. As a result, consulting with a lawyer can help you determine whether you qualify for a malpractice claim.
An attorney can also help you determine how much your claim is worth. Because birth injuries can lead to lifelong health challenges for mothers and children, achieving fair compensation depends on understanding the full impact of the injury. Lawyers with experience in medical malpractice cases can not only assess your care needs today but also identify future costs and other ways that the injury impacted your life.
Most of all, a birth injury attorney can help you seek justice and hold your health care providers accountable for their actions. When you sought treatment from your doctor, you put both your life and your child’s future in their hands. By taking legal action with a skilled lawyer by your side, you can not only recover compensation for the harm you suffered but also protect other families by holding health care providers to account for their errors.
Take Steps To Protect Your Family Today
You and your family do not have to face the impact of a birth injury alone. From our office in Charleston, The Masters Law Firm, L.C. provides legal representation to injured people and their families throughout West Virginia. Call 304-342-3106 or reach out to our firm online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your options.