Birth Injury Legal Help

Families are confronted with massive cost of living when a child is born with an medically-caused injury or illness. An attorney for birth injuries can help secure compensation to cover medical costs and enhance a child's quality of life.

To win a birth injury lawsuit, families must prove four elements:

Statute of limitations

Whatever the manner in which the injury was sustained, it is crucial to seek legal advice whenever you suspect that medical negligence. This will ensure that your claim is filed within the state's statute of limitations, as well as you have time to build a strong claim and get an appropriate amount of compensation.

A person who is a plaintiff typically has two and a half (2-1/2 years) to make a claim for medical malpractice, beginning from when the negligence occurred. New York law extends this time limit to 10 years for cases brought on behalf a child, provided that the child has not reached the age of 18.

To win a birth injuries lawsuit, you must demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty to you when creating injuries for your child. The way to establish causation is usually through expert testimony and documents that show the best practices, which are widely accepted in the medical community.

Your lawyer will look into your case and gather all relevant evidence, including medical records for you and your child. They will then determine potential defendants and collect the necessary documents from their insurance companies. Once complete, they will send a demand letter to the parties at fault for damages in cash. If they don't agree to negotiate with you, your lawyer will take action in the court. A lawsuit is usually resolved by trial, with each side presenting evidence and arguments before a jury and judge.

Medical Experts

Birth injuries can have devastating effects on the child and his family. It is imperative to seek legal advice as quickly as you can. This will allow the lawyer to construct a strong case based on evidence such as medical records and depositions by doctors. Lawyers can also request an expert from a medical field to review the case and provide an opinion. This is a crucial step in any medical malpractice case.

Many birth injuries are difficult to prove, since the symptoms might not appear until much later. Parents may not recognize birth injuries until their child has missed developmental milestones, or their pediatrician has stated that they have intellectual and physical deficits. A possible injury may be identified by indications such as admission to the NICU or the need for a CT or MRI scan after birth injury lawyers.

Causation is another key element in the success of a birth injury lawsuit. You must prove that the breach of duty by the defendant caused your child's injury. This means that if the doctor didn't do the wrong thing the child would not have been injured.

The majority of medical malpractice cases that involve birth injuries, are settled outside of court. In a settlement, defendants must agree on an amount of money to settle the claim. The amount must reflect your past and future damages. Your lawyer will consult financial and medical experts to determine the proper amount.

Defendants

In order to succeed in a birth injury lawsuit, you must demonstrate that your medical professional breached their duty of care. This is usually accomplished by obtaining a medical expert witness's opinion. The medical expert will analyze the evidence in your case including any medical records and depositions made by the doctors involved. He or she will determine whether your doctor's actions were in accordance to the appropriate standard of practices for professionals with similar training, expertise and context.

A lawyer will also hire financial experts to evaluate and calculate your losses taking into consideration past, current, and future expenses. Your attorney will discuss with the hospital or the doctor's malpractice insurer and will file a lawsuit if necessary to secure maximum compensation for the injuries your child sustained.

Contrary to most lawsuits, birth injury cases usually end in settlements. A settlement occurs when all parties agree to a specific amount of money and the legal process ceases. If you do not reach a settlement agreement in your case, it may be brought to court where a judge and jury will decide on the outcome.

Birth injuries can have lasting effects on your child or your family. It is important to cooperate with an attorney for birth injuries who is experienced in dealing with such claims.

Settlement

Your attorney should work to secure a full settlement for your family. This will depend on the nature of your child's injuries as well as resulting needs. For instance, a severe birth injury could require years of care, usually 24/7. Your lawyer will consult with medical and care experts in order to determine the total cost of this care, and make an appropriate claim.

In many instances, the malpractice insurance of a hospital or doctor will offer the possibility of settling a case without litigation. In these situations the lawyer will then send an offer package that includes a detailed description of the facts and the dollar amount you'd like to settle your case. The insurance company will scrutinize the information and respond with a counter offer. Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company in order to reach the most fair settlement.

If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit in the county where the injury occurred. Depending on the circumstances, you may name as defendants your doctor and any other doctors or hospitals involved in your child's birth and the injury. Your lawyer will gather additional information following the filing of a lawsuit, which includes depositions and sworn testimonies from witnesses, through an investigation process. The evidence you gather will aid in your legal arguments.