Accomplished WV Lawyer Stands Up for Injured Newborns and Their Parents

Morgantown injury lawyer seeks compensation for your child's traumatic birth injury

The birth of a child should be a cause for celebration, but when the newborn sustains a serious injury due to a medical error, the joy turns quickly to sorrow and fear for the baby’s future. At Mountaineer Injury Law Group in Morgantown, I understand the outrage over the negligent harm done to an innocent child, along with the apprehension over corrective medical treatments and the funds needed to pay for them. That’s why my firm aggressively pursues justice in the civil court system to hold all negligent parties fully accountable.

Understanding birth injuries

Labor and delivery can be difficult on the mother and infant, but medical science can do a great deal to alleviate the discomfort and dangers. However, when healthcare providers fail to abide by professional standards, serious problems can ensue. Careless doctors and nurses might miss signs of problems, fail to act in a timely manner or perform the required procedure incorrectly.  When this occurs, mother and child can sustain severe, and even fatal, injuries. Some sources estimate that as many as six to eight babies out of 1,000 born in the United States suffer some type of birth injury. About 80 percent of these injuries are moderate to severe.

When can birth injuries occur?      

Technically, the term birth injury refers to harm sustained from the onset of labor to delivery. However, injuries also occur in utero and in the moments after birth. My firm handles claims arising from harm that occurs at any of these stages:

• During pregnancy — Doctors sometimes fail to diagnose problems with gestation, which means that mothers are not informed about extra precautions, such as bed rest and limited mobility, that can safeguard their baby.
• During labor — Oxygen levels and other vital signs need to be monitored throughout labor. A problem or the infant’s small size could necessitate a C-section.
• During delivery — Forceps, suction and manual extraction as the child passes through the birth canal are capable of injuring the child if too much force is used.  
• Postnatal — Mishandling infants, especially those born prematurely, might cause lasting harm.

When babies and/or their mothers sustain birth injuries, my firm examines medical records thoroughly to determine if evidence of substandard care exists.                 

Types of birth injuries

The birth injuries that are among the most frequent include the following:

• Brachial plexus injuries — Damage to the nerve network running from the upper spine through the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand is referred to as a brachial plexus injury (BPI). About 10 percent of BPI cases result in permanent disability. In the most severe situations, the child can suffer complete paralysis.
• Bone fractures — Excessive force could lead to a broken collarbone or another type of fracture. 
• Perinatal asphyxia — Oxygen deficiency during delivery can cause a range of symptoms, such as labored breathing, pale complexion, seizures, coma or shock. Even after the immediate danger passes, the condition can cause permanent nerve damage.
• Intracranial or subarachnoid hemorrhage — Bleeding in the skull could threaten an infant’s life.
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage — Improper obstetric care can cause a burst blood vessel in the eye, causing a large, red spot.
• Facial paralysis — Nerve damage that paralyzes parts of a child’s face can be temporary or permanent.
• Spinal cord injuries — Trauma, due to excessive force or negligent use of forceps, can trigger paralysis or neurologic problems. 
• Cerebral palsy — This permanent, incurable condition can be caused by trauma or abnormal development. The result is tight, inelastic, and weak muscles with poor motor skills.

West Virginia allows parents two years from the date of the injury (or the date you discovered it) to bring a lawsuit. It’s important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately, while witness memories are fresh and hospital records are readily available. I am ready to help you.

Contact a West Virginia birth injury attorney for a free consultation

Mountaineer Injury Law Group represents West Virginia plaintiffs in cases stemming from birth injuries caused by a healthcare provider’s negligence. Please call 304-202-5835 or contact me online to schedule a free consultation in Morgantown or Martinsburg.