birth injury lawyers Injury Legal Help

If children are born with an injury or illness due to medical negligence, families must deal with tremendous financial costs. A birth injury attorney can assist in obtaining compensation to cover the care costs and enhance the quality of life of a child.

Families must prove four things to prevail in a lawsuit against birth injury:

Statute of limitations

No matter how the injury was sustained, it is important to seek legal counsel immediately if you suspect that medical negligence. This ensures that your claim is filed within the state's statute of limitations, as well as you have time to build a strong case and obtain the right amount of compensation.

In general, a party has two and half (2-1/2) years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit that begins from the date of the occurrence of negligence. New York law extends this deadline to 10 years in cases filed on behalf of children, provided that the child has not yet reached the age of 18.

To win a birth injury lawsuit, you must show that the defendant violated their duty to you by inflicting injuries on your child. Causation is established by expert testimony and documents that demonstrate the best practices that have been accepted by the medical community.

Your attorney will investigate and gather the relevant evidence in your case including medical records as well as tests results from both you and your child. Then, they will identify potential defendants and request the required documents from the insurance companies. Once the paperwork is completed, they'll send a demand birth injury note to the at-fault parties asking for damages in cash. If they are unwilling to negotiate, your lawyer will begin a lawsuit in the courtroom. A lawsuit is usually resolved through a trial, where each side will present its evidence and birth injury arguments before the jury and a judge.

Medical Experts

If a baby is injured during birth a birth injury the result can be devastating consequences for the child and their family. It is crucial to seek legal advice as quickly as you can. This will allow the lawyer to build a strong case, with evidence such as medical records and depositions by doctors. Lawyers can also request an expert in medical to review the case and offer an opinion. This is a crucial part of any medical malpractice case.

Many birth injuries are difficult to prove as the symptoms may not be evident until a long time later. Parents may not notice birth injuries until their child has failed to meet developmental milestones, or their pediatrician has indicated that their child has intellectual and physical deficiencies. Signs of injury, such as admission to the NICU or a need for a CT scan or MRI following birth, may be a sign of a potential injury.

Causation is another key factor in a successful birth injury lawsuit. You must demonstrate that the defendant's lapse in duty caused your child to be injured. This means that if the doctor did not violate his duty, your child wouldn't have suffered an injury.

The majority of medical malpractice claims like those involving birth injuries or birth injury, are settled out of court. In a settlement agreement, the defendants must agree on a dollar value in order to resolve the matter. The amount must reflect your present and future damages. Your lawyer will collaborate with medical and financial experts to determine a suitable amount.

Defendants

A successful birth injury lawsuit needs establishing that your medical provider violated his or her duty of care. This is typically accomplished by obtaining the opinion of an expert witness in the field of medicine. The medical expert will look over the evidence of your case, including depositions of the doctors who were involved in your case as well as any medical documents. He or she will determine whether your doctor's actions were in conformity with the appropriate standard of care required for professionals with similar qualifications and experience under the circumstances.

A lawyer may also consult financial experts to evaluate your losses and determine reasonable damages that account for both present and future expenses. Your lawyer will negotiate with the hospital's or medical malpractice insurer and file a lawsuit, in the event that it is necessary, to obtain the most compensation for any injuries suffered by your child.

Contrary to most lawsuits, birth injury cases usually end in settlements. Settlement occurs when all parties agree to a certain amount and stop any legal action. If your case is unable to resolve then it could be referred to trial, where a judge and jury will decide on your fate.

A birth injury is a serious medical issue that can have long-lasting effects on your child as well as your family. To achieve the best results it is crucial to consult with an experienced birth injury lawyer who has proven track record of success in handling these claims.

Settlement

Your attorney must do everything possible to ensure that your family receives a fair settlement. It will depend on the severity of your child's injuries, and the resulting needs. For example, a severe birth injury can lead to years of care, often around-the-clock. Your lawyer will consult medical and health experts to determine the total cost of the care, and make an appropriate claim.

In many instances the malpractice insurance policy of a physician or hospital will offer to settle a case without litigation. In these instances the lawyer will then send an offer package that includes an exhaustive description of the facts and a dollar amount that you want to settle the case. The insurance company will scrutinize your documents and respond with a counter-offer. Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to determine an appropriate settlement.

If a settlement is not reached, your lawyer may pursue a lawsuit for medical negligence in the county that caused the injury. You may be able to claim your doctor as well as any other doctors or hospital involved in the birth injury attorneys of your child, and also the injury, as defendants depending on the circumstances. Your lawyer will gather additional information after filing a lawsuit, which includes depositions, sworn statements and other evidence from witnesses through discovery. The evidence you gather will help support your legal arguments.