The birth of a child should be a joyful and safe experience. Unfortunately, when medical professionals make mistakes during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, it can lead to serious, lifelong injuries for both the baby and the mother. If your child has suffered a birth injury in Rock Hill, South Carolina, due to medical negligence or improper care, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Ted Law Firm, we specialize in representing families of children who have suffered birth injuries. We are committed to ensuring that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve for the medical care, special education, and long-term support your child needs to thrive.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is any physical harm or injury that occurs to a baby during labor, delivery, or immediately after birth. Some injuries are minor and heal on their own, while others result in permanent disabilities or long-term health issues. Birth injuries are often the result of medical malpractice, such as improper use of forceps, failure to monitor fetal distress, or delayed C-sections.
Common birth injuries caused by medical negligence include:
- Cerebral Palsy: A neurological disorder caused by damage to the brain during birth, affecting movement and coordination.
- Brachial Plexus Injury (Erb’s Palsy): Nerve damage caused by excessive pulling during delivery, leading to paralysis in the arm.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen during labor or delivery.
- Fractures: Broken bones, such as collarbone fractures, often caused during difficult deliveries.
- Spinal Cord Injury: Damage to the spine that can result in permanent paralysis or mobility issues.
- Facial Nerve Injury: Nerve damage to the face caused by the use of forceps during delivery.
- Shoulder Dystocia: A birth complication where the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck during delivery, leading to nerve damage or fractures.
If your child has suffered from any of these injuries, we can help you explore your legal options and seek compensation.
How Do Birth Injuries Occur?
Birth injuries can occur due to various factors, many of which result from medical negligence or improper care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Some common causes of birth injuries include:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress: When doctors or nurses fail to properly monitor the baby’s heart rate or oxygen levels, it can lead to brain damage or other serious injuries.
- Improper use of delivery tools: The improper use of forceps, vacuum extractors, or other tools during delivery can cause nerve damage, fractures, or brain injuries.
- Delayed C-sections: If a C-section is not performed in a timely manner when the baby is in distress, it can result in a lack of oxygen and serious injury.
- Failure to diagnose high-risk conditions: Failing to recognize complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, can increase the risk of birth injuries.
- Medication errors: Administering the wrong medications or incorrect dosages during labor and delivery can lead to serious birth injuries.
If you believe your child’s birth injury was caused by medical negligence, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney to discuss your legal options.
Who Can File a Birth Injury Lawsuit in Rock Hill?
In South Carolina, a birth injury lawsuit can be filed by the parents or legal guardians of the injured child. In cases involving serious birth injuries, it’s important to take action quickly, as there are legal time limits on filing claims.
If your child is too young to file on their own behalf, a guardian ad litem (appointed by the court) may be able to file on behalf of the child until they reach the age of majority.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Birth Injury Case?
If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for several types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: Costs for medical treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and ongoing care needed for your child’s injury.
- Special education and therapy costs: Expenses for speech therapy, physical therapy, special education programs, and other long-term care.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain your child has endured due to the injury.
- Loss of future earning capacity: If the injury leads to long-term disabilities that impact your child’s ability to work as an adult, compensation for lost future earnings may be available.
- Vocational rehabilitation: If your child requires assistance in finding employment later in life due to their injuries, compensation may be available for job retraining.
- Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or recklessness, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter future misconduct.
At Ted Law Firm, we will work with medical and financial experts to fully assess the impact of your child’s birth injury and ensure you receive the compensation you need for their care.
What to Do After a Birth Injury in Rock Hill
If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, it’s important to take the following steps:
- Seek immediate medical care: Ensure your child receives the necessary treatment and care for their injuries.
- Document everything: Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, doctor visits, and communications with healthcare providers.
- Collect evidence: Obtain any relevant medical records, accident reports, or witness statements that support your claim.
- Consult with an attorney: Contact a skilled birth injury lawyer as soon as possible to understand your legal options and protect your rights.
- Avoid speaking to insurance companies: Insurance companies may try to offer a quick settlement that is much lower than what you are entitled to. It’s important to have a lawyer by your side to ensure you’re fairly compensated.
How Ted Law Firm Can Help You With Your Birth Injury Case
At Ted Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping families of children who have suffered birth injuries. Here’s how we can assist you:
- Investigate the cause of the injury: We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s birth injury, including reviewing medical records, interviewing experts, and gathering evidence.
- Consult with medical professionals: We work with medical specialists to understand the full extent of your child’s injury and its long-term impact on their health.
- Negotiate settlements: We will negotiate with the responsible parties and insurance companies to secure a fair settlement for your family.
- File a lawsuit: If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial and fight for justice on behalf of your child.
- Provide compassionate support: We understand the emotional toll birth injuries can take on families. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the legal process.
Talk to a Rock Hill Birth Injury Lawyer Today
If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, don’t wait to seek legal help. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner we can begin working on your case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. At Ted Law Firm, we proudly serve families in Rock Hill, York County, and throughout South Carolina. You don’t pay unless we win your case no upfront costs, just experienced legal help from a team that puts your family’s well-being first.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
