Giving birth is an undeniably traumatic event. Both mother and baby’s bodies and hormones go through profound transitions during the course of the birth process. As a result, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether certain symptoms are normal byproducts of birth or if they signal that something has gone wrong.
It is important to understand that if you are unsure whether your child has been harmed as a result of the birth process, you are not alone. Many parents have faced the same uncertainties and struggles. If you would like to meet with an attorney in order to give a sense of what is making you uneasy, they can advise you as to whether or not you may be able to exercise certain legal options in regards to your child’s situation. If he or she has indeed suffered birth-related harm and that harm occurred as a result of medical negligence, you may be able to recover damages in association with a personal injury claim.
Was Your Child Harmed by Medical Negligence?
It is worth noting that while some birth-related injuries may be immediately apparent after a child has been delivered, others take time to become clear. For example, if a child has been cut, has suffered a broken bone or has been severely deprived of oxygen, these challenges will be noticeable after birth. However, if a child’s injury does not manifest until later, it may be difficult to clearly associate the challenges he or she is experiencing with the birth process.
Delayed symptoms of a birth-related injury may include trouble feeding, seizures, painful arched-back crying, developmental delays and nerve damage. If something seemed to have gone wrong in the delivery room and your child has suffered harm, that harm may or may not have been caused by medical negligence. Attorneys are happy to explain the standard of medical negligence to you and to discuss exploring whether it may have occurred in your child’s specific case.
Filing a Claim May Be an Option
If it seems your child could have been harmed by medical negligence, you may be able to file a successful personal injury claim. Filing this kind of claim may aid you in paying for your child’s medical care and may help to ensure that no other child suffers a similar kind of injury in the future. Your child may be awarded economic damages tied to past and future medical bills, non-economic damages like pain and suffering awards and other compensations. The outcome of your suit will depend on the circumstances, but many birth-injury lawsuits have been filed successfully and have led to a greater focus on safety for mother and child during delivery and immediately after birth.
You Are Not Alone
You do not need to navigate the uncertainties of possible birth-related injury by yourself. As a new parent, you certainly have enough challenges on your plate without trying to sort out legal options alone. Scheduling a consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer may be beneficial.