Regardless of the injury’s extent, experiencing a traumatic birth and suffering from a birth injury is a scary thing. If you or your baby were hurt during the delivery process, it’s important to understand what a birth injury claim involves. Whether you decide to hire an attorney, or aren’t sure where to look for emotional supports, read on to learn about birth injury cases.
Initial Injury
Many types of common birth injuries range in severity. Whether your child was hurt in the birth process or during prenatal care, any parent who suspects they or their child have been victim to medical malpractice has the right to see a personal injury lawyer specializing in birth injuries to seek restitution on their claim. Maybe your child suffered from oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery and suffered a brain injury. Maybe you were given the wrong prescription drug, and a caring pharmacist alerted you to it after it was too late, causing a congenital disability in your baby.
Before rushing off to contact a birth injury attorney or verifying your prescription records with America’s Pharmacy, do your research and homework, too. That is, you’ll want to collect all records of your medical care and your child’s too. While the pharmacist could ultimately be your best advocate or the nurse who watched the doctor struggle with forceps an ally, you’ll first want a paper trail of your medical records, child’s injury, and any notes or receipts that will help you explain your case to your future legal team.
Hiring an Attorney
If you or your child has been hurt in the birth process, you may want to explore birth injury litigation. If you live in Chicago, a quick google search for a birth injury lawyer in Chicago will point you in the right direction of experienced personal injury attorneys who will be able to help you with different types of birth injuries and work hard to get you and your child fair compensation due to medical error.
Before meeting with a lawyer to handle your potential medical malpractice claim, you’ll want to do your research. Check reviews and come to your first consultation with a list of questions around your specific personal injury case. Talking to someone knowledgeable about your legal rights will give you not only options but peace of mind.
Finding Advocates and Supports
Dealing with a birth injury is hard. You’ll want emotional supports. From friends and family to a licensed therapist with a specialty in grief counseling, you may also want to ask your hospital case manager about groups for parents with children with disabilities. Not only will other parents understand your situation, but they will prove as an invaluable resource in navigating the challenges and emotions ahead. Some may even have medical malpractice experience and can help steer you through complicated legal decisions from a parent’s perspective.
Navigating the Legal Process
If you’ve hired a professional birth injury lawyer for legal guidance, it’ll be important to trust them. While trust is likely an issue for you after what you’ve been through with your doctor, try to remember that your attorney is on your side. They will work with you for financial recovery of expenses and help you to quantify fair compensation for your future pain and suffering. With an understanding of the financial impact of the loss of a normal life, find a lawyer you’re comfortable with and let them help you through the legal road ahead. Let their legal experience think for you as much as you can while you focus on your child, pain, and the grieving process.
In the end, no two birth injuries and situations are exactly alike. However, with the right supports, a lawyer you trust, and by doing your own homework and research on advocating for your child and yourself, you can get through this and find the best outcome for your child. By aligning with people who have your best interest in mind, you’ll ensure a better quality of life for yourself and your baby in the future.
