Five Killer Quora Answers On Birth Injury Law
Birth Injury Lawyers
Parents who believe their child has suffered a birth injury because of medical malpractice could be entitled to compensation. However, filing an claim is fraught with complications and deadlines, such as the statute of limitations.
A lawyer for the family can help them review medical records, obtain professional opinions and develop solid evidence-based arguments. They can also manage communications with insurance companies and negotiate an acceptable settlement.
Preventable Birth Injuries
Many birth injuries could have been avoided. Some injuries, whether caused by medical negligence or a natural problem, will not heal themselves and may result in life-long complications. There are some that require expensive treatments that may not be covered by insurance. When an injury is sustained, the first emotions parents feel are typically sadness, anger, frustration, and shock. They may also wonder about what happened and if this could have been prevented.
A birth injury could be caused by anything that happens before or after birth. Some are obvious, for example, a skull fracture or a spinal cord injury. Others will be obvious as the child grows older. For instance the absence of motor development or cognitive delays might be signs of brain injury resulting from a preventable birth injury.
Some birth injuries can be prevented by ensuring the mother during pregnancy, and through regular OB-GYN appointments. Parents should assess their risk factors and select a doctor who is most appropriate for their requirements. The doctor should also pay attention to the mother's opinions and consider them during labor. The doctor should also be aware the need for a C-section and be able perform one in a safe manner.
Medical Malpractice
A baby's injuries at birth can ruin the hopes of parents, who have been waiting for this day for a long time. Even a seemingly minor medical error could cause years of costly treatment, and a lifetime of lost opportunities for the child who has been injured.
The most skilled birth injury attorneys will look over medical records to determine if there was negligence during the birthing procedure. They will then work with medical experts in proving that this breach of duty by a health care professional resulted in the child's injuries that could have been prevented.
Many lawyers will offer a free case review and work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not receive a payment unless they are successful in your case. The top national law firms also have access to huge databases of medical records and the team includes nurse case managers along with medical experts and other staff members that can make your case stronger.
The best time to hire a birth injury lawyer is as soon as you can. If you delay until your child is an adult to start a lawsuit you'll have less time to create a strong claim, and the medical documents that support your claim may have been expired for a long time. In addition, if you do not act quickly in time, you could miss the deadline for filing a medical malpractice claim in your state.
Medical Bills
The medical costs for infants suffering from spinal cord injury or other birth injuries that are preventable can be shocking. Fortunately that a successful legal case can help cut down on the amount of these bills. A settlement or a jury award can help pay for your child's present and future medical costs, lost wages resulting from being forced to stay at home with the injured baby, as well as emotional distress.
When deciding on the attorney to work with, it is important to inquire about the number of cases they handle at any given time, and what their success rate with these types of claims. It is also crucial to take into account their years of experience in the field of malpractice law, since they can impact how they perform in court or when negotiating with insurance companies.
It is recommended to inquire about the medical experts who are involved in your case and what their view is on the possible causes of the child's injuries. Medical experts can offer a crucial perspective and often make a difference in successfully winning a medical malpractice case.
Parents should also inquire about what the average cost of a lawyer for their services. A birth injury lawyer will charge on a contingent basis, similar to most personal injury lawyers. This means they will only receive an amount if they are successful in winning an award of financial compensation for the client.