North Carolina Birth Injury Attorneys
Birth injuries: the facts
A new child should fill every family with joy. Many new parents are denied this joy due to negligence, which can turn an otherwise happy occasion into a source of deep sadness.
While the United States is a wealthy nation, it is one of the most dangerous places in the developed world to give birth, according to federal statistics. Hundreds of U.S. women die in childbirth every year, and nearly 40,000 babies suffer birth injuries. Among all developed nations, the U.S. ranks first in serious birth incidents.
The most troubling aspect of this situation is that many of these fetal and maternal deaths and injuries could be prevented. According to a 2018 USA Today report, 50 percent of birth injuries and fetal and maternal deaths could have been prevented with better medical care.
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Why does the medical community fail so many newborns and their families?
The Dangers of Birth Injuries. The following are some of the most common birth injuries:
- Anoxia
- Brachial Plexus Palsy
- Brain damage or head trauma
- Cerebral Palsy
- Hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain)
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
- Erb’s Palsy
- Kernicterus
- Meningitis in newborns
- Paralysis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
Often, prenatally, during labor, or at delivery, these injuries are caused or made worse by negligent medical care. A delayed response to complications, a failure to recognize or diagnose fetal distress or bleeding, or incorrectly using vacuum devices, Pitocin, or other birthing tools are common forms of negligence, as is an unwillingness to order a medically necessary C-section.
Depending on the severity of these events, babies and their mothers could suffer lifelong disabilities or even death if they are injured. A nurse or doctor’s inadequate knowledge, hurriedness, or inattention can irrevocably alter the outcome of a newborn’s life.
The legal system provides robust protections for those who have been injured by medical malpractice. The first step to receiving justice is to work with an attorney who specializes in such cases.
Here’s what we do.
The medical records for you and your baby are obtained at no cost to you: the fetal heart monitor strips, your prenatal care records, ultrasounds and test results, and yours and your baby’s hospital records.
- We will do a full analysis of all birth injury records
- The birth records may also be analyzed by other experts
- When we accept your case, our team will send your child to an experienced pediatric neurologists
- We pay all these costs ourselves and are only reimbursed if we win or settle your case
- We keep you updated on the progress of your case.
Birth Injury Frequently Asked Questions
What is a birth injury?
An infant suffering from birth injury appears depressed, pale, not moving, not breathing, or any combination of these symptoms at birth or soon after. In the delivery room, the baby may receive CPR or intubation. Often, these babies are cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit or transferred to a children’s hospital for higher levels of care. These infants are often diagnosed with cerebral palsy or “CP”, have problems with seizures, feeding, movement, spasticity, and delayed development as a result. Many of these problems can be prevented if nurses, doctors, and hospitals provide proper care during labor and delivery.
Is it possible to prevent birth injuries?
In our case, that’s often the case. During labor, we examine the fetal heart monitor strips carefully for signs that the baby or fetus is struggling. In addition to immediate delivery or other action by the nurses or doctors, prompt action may prevent permanent brain damage.
For birth injuries, which lawyers should be contacted? Here’s what to look for.
What do past clients of the lawyer have to say about them in their online reviews? What are their results? Do other lawyers recommend them? Do they belong to any trial lawyer organizations? Have they been in practice for a long time; do they treat you with respect, kindness, and attention when you call? Are you contacted promptly?
Medical records and expert evaluations should never be charged to you. Medical malpractice lawyers who have experience will always advance costs and only be repaid if they win your case.
What factors do you consider when choosing a doctor/hospital?
Is the doctor board certified? Check their website. Several national medical organizations or boards recognize or “certify” a doctor’s expertise in a certain area of medicine. Their specialty usually requires the doctor to pass a written and oral examination.
Take a look at the doctor’s training and how long he has been practicing. Getting into medical schools in the United States is difficult and there are rigorous requirements to graduate. These requirements may be less of an issue at foreign medical schools.
Find out what training the doctor received after medical school. Did the doctor complete any residencies or fellowships? What hospitals is he or she on staff at?
Not all hospitals are created equal.
In terms of experience and training of their physicians and nurses, major medical centers and those affiliated with universities are different from community hospitals. Do they work in any hospitals? They are stricter in making sure that their policies and procedures are followed by the physicians and other staff. In comparison to community hospitals, they have more resources.
Finding a Birth Injury Attorney with Experience
Birth injuries, which occur with alarming frequency in the United States, are among the most traumatic experiences a person can endure. These injuries often have lifelong repercussions. A mother’s worst nightmare can turn into one of the best moments of her life.
In the event that your child has suffered a birth injury or you have been injured during your pregnancy, call the North Carolina birth injury attorneys at King Law Firm. In this area of the law, we have been providing North Carolina families with personalized and attentive legal representation for more than 40 years. King Law Firm will put together a team of skilled Birth Injury Attorneys to handle your birth injury case. Call today for a Free Consultation. (855) 206-0052
Please contact one of the members of our team if you have any questions. Call (855) 205-9689 or fill out or short contact form.