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Dallas Birth Injury Lawyer

We Fight for Victims of Childbirth Malpractice

Aldous Law's birth injury attorneys fight for victims of negligence-related birth injuries. If this happened to you, we invite you to contact our law firm today for an evaluation of your legal rights and options, or continue reading to learn more about childbirth trauma.

What Is Birth Injury?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), birth injury is the impairment of the infant’s body function or structure due to adverse influences that occurred at birth. This can also be used interchangeably with birth trauma, which is defined as a physical injury sustained by an infant in the process of birth.

Birth Injuries

Birth injury causes generally fall into two camps:

  • Those caused by physical trauma
  • And those caused by oxygen deprivation
  • While birth injury claims have a variety of causes that vary drastically from case to case, they typically all have one thing in common: they began with a childbirth complication that was mismanaged or handled improperly.

We’ve listed some commonly cited birth injury causes for a better understanding. This is not a comprehensive list, and any one of these factors on their own does not guarantee a birth injury outcome.

It is the mismanagement of these types of conditions that can lead to an injury, and an injury during childbirth can lead to:

  • Serious medical conditions
  • Permanent disabilities
  • And disfigurement
  • Birth Injuries vs. Birth Defects

“Birth injury” and “birth defect” are commonly confused terms. While they can produce similar outcomes, they differ in substance. As we explained, a birth injury is trauma suffered by an infant during childbirth.

Birth defect describes a physical or chemical defect present at birth, and is usually either inherited genetically or induced by environmental factors. There is not usually a legal cause of action in birth defect cases, unless the environmental cause is something like a dangerous pharmaceutical, which is a different type of litigation entirely.

We’ve listed some commonly cited birth injury causes below:

  • Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractor
  • Fetal monitoring failures
  • Abnormal birth presentation or position (ex: breech or shoulder first)
  • Large birth weight
  • Umbilical cord prolapse or strangulation
  • Failure to progress / prolonged delivery
  • Pitocin (induction medication) mistakes
  • Vaginal delivery in mothers with small pelvis
  • Maternal infections such as Group B Streptococcus

According to the National Vital Statistics Reports, a Division of the CDC, Texas Does Not Specifically Report on Birth Injuries. These Data Reflect Birth Injury Statistics on a National Scale, or General Childbirth Data From the Texas Department of State Health Services.

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FAQs

COMMON QUESTIONS

The long-term effects of birth injuries can vary widely depending on the type and severity of the injury. Some birth injuries, such as fractures or facial bruises, may heal without long-term consequences. However, more serious injuries, such as cerebral palsy or permanent nerve damage, can lead to lifelong disabilities and medical complications. Children with birth injuries may require ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and support services to manage their conditions and maximize their quality of life.

The prevalence of birth injuries varies depending on factors such as the specific injury, delivery method, and overall health of the mother and baby. While some birth injuries are relatively rare, others, such as brachial plexus injuries or fractures, occur more frequently. Estimates suggest that birth injuries occur in around 6 to 8 out of every 1,000 live births in the United States, with some studies indicating higher rates in certain populations or regions.

If you suspect your child has suffered a birth injury, it's important to seek medical attention immediately. Document any symptoms or concerns and consult with a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation.

If something goes wrong during childbirth, and you or your child are injured, you may have legal grounds to file a claim to sue the doctor, the hospital or the healthcare organization responsible for that harm. Who to sue varies from case to case, and is best determined by a Dallas birth injury attorney experienced in this area of litigation.

One phrase you will hear often in birth injury litigation is “the standard of care for physicians.” This simply means that the physician breached a duty of care.

It is conduct that misses the mark of acceptable medical care as set by the medical community at large. In birth injury trials, one thing the jury will decide is whether the physician or hospital’s conduct was reasonable given the customary practice among other physicians and hospitals.

In a birth injury lawsuit, you may be able to claim various types of damages, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and loss of future earnings. The specific damages will depend on the circumstances of each case.

We can’t say without looking at your specific case—but many birth injuries are avoidable. Even if your doctor told you otherwise, it’s important to hear a legal perspective.

At Aldous Law, we keep a nurse on staff so we can help our clients in these types of complex medical cases. The sooner you get legal help, the better chance you will have at securing the level of compensation you deserve.

In Texas, the statute of limitations in many civil injury cases is two years from, the date of injury, the date the injury was discovered, or the date of death. Application of the limitations statute for bringing lawsuits is complex and best evaluated by an experienced birth injury attorney.

Families affected by birth injuries may have legal options available to them, depending on the circumstances surrounding the injury. Medical malpractice laws allow individuals to seek compensation for injuries caused by negligence or substandard medical care. To pursue a medical malpractice claim, families typically need to demonstrate that a healthcare provider failed to meet the applicable standard of care, resulting in harm to the mother or baby. Consulting with a qualified attorney who specializes in birth injury cases can help families understand their rights and options for seeking justice and compensation.

To prepare for your first meeting with a birth injury lawyer, gather all relevant medical records, documents related to the birth, and any evidence of negligence you may have. Be ready to discuss your concerns and the impact the injury has had on your family.

Birth injuries can be emotionally devastating for parents or family members tasked with caring for the injured person. That’s why birth injury lawyers exist—we are able to hold the responsible parties accountable through the legal system.

Our Dallas birth injury lawyers understand the laws governing birth-related medical malpractice and can help you and your family navigate potential court proceedings. Our dedicated legal team will strive to obtain justice and financial compensation to aid in any necessary care that may have resulted from the birth injury.

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"You put me back together after I had been broken. You showed me how to grow in a positive way from something so negative."
- K.S (Past Client)
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Find Help After  Childbirth Malpractice

How Can Birth Injury Lawyers Help?

Texas birth injury attorneys can help families who are facing the emotional and physical trauma associated with birth injuries. They understand the complex nature of birth injury lawsuits, including medical malpractice claims related to negligence during childbirth. This includes reviewing your case thoroughly to determine if there is a valid legal claim for damages under Texas law.

A birth injury lawyer near you should be able to:

  • Evaluate cases to determine if a birth injury can be legally pursued as a malpractice claim.
  • Collect evidence such as witnesses statements and medical reports that could support claims of negligence during childbirth.
  • Analyze legal precedent and research best practices related to birth injuries in similar cases across Texas courts to develop effective strategies for pursuing compensation on behalf of victims of malpractice-related birth injuries
  • Negotiate with insurance companies or defend families’ rights in court against negligent healthcare providers, hospitals, or other liable parties who may have caused their child’s birth injury
  • Investigate medical records for any potential signs of negligence in the delivery process.
  • Provide families with emotional support throughout the legal proceedings, helping them feel more comfortable while also ensuring they are treated fairly by all involved parties
  • Represent clients at trial to present arguments and help secure maximum possible compensation benefits on behalf of their child’s injury
  • Work towards obtaining financial security through settlements or awards from civil court proceedings after a successful case has been made showing negligence leading up to the birth injury
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The information on this website is attorney advertising for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney/client relationship. Charla G. Aldous, P.C. d/b/a Aldous Law
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