Most birth injury claims stem from complications that were mismanaged or overlooked during delivery. While some complications are unavoidable, negligence occurs when doctors, nurses, or other providers fail to act according to established safety standards.
Birth injuries are generally categorized as those caused by physical trauma or oxygen deprivation, both of which can lead to lifelong complications. In many cases, timely intervention or proper monitoring could prevent these outcomes entirely. Understanding how negligence takes place is the first step in pursuing justice for your child.
What Is Considered a Birth Injury?
A birth injury refers to harm or trauma sustained by an infant during the labor or delivery process. These injuries differ from birth defects, which develop before birth due to genetic or environmental factors and are not typically linked to medical negligence.
According to the CDC, a birth injury involves impairment of the infant’s body function or structure caused by events during birth. Common examples include fractures, nerve damage, and brain injuries resulting from lack of oxygen. Unlike natural complications, most birth injuries could have been prevented with appropriate medical care and attention.
Common Causes of Birth Injuries in Dallas Hospitals
Birth injuries are often the result of preventable medical mistakes during labor and delivery. These may include:
- Improper use of delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors
- Failure to monitor fetal distress
- Delays in performing a medically necessary C-section
- Abnormal birth positions
- Prolonged labor
- Excessive use or misuse of Pitocin
- Maternal infections that go untreated
While complications can arise even with the best care, it’s the negligent mismanagement of these risks that most often leads to injury. Prompt legal action can help identify where the breakdown in care occurred and who is responsible.
Types of Birth Injuries That May Lead to a Legal Claim
Aldous Law stands firmly beside parents across Dallas who are living with the consequences of medical negligence. Our attorneys are deeply familiar with birth injury cases and provide the strength, knowledge, and compassion families need during these difficult times. We commonly handle birth injury cases like those found below.
Brain Injuries and Oxygen Deprivation
When an infant’s brain is deprived of oxygen during labor or delivery, even for a short time, the results can be devastating. Hypoxia and anoxia can cause conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), leading to developmental delays or lifelong disabilities.
Medical providers must closely monitor fetal oxygen levels to prevent these outcomes. Failure to recognize or address fetal distress quickly is a serious form of negligence. Families affected by these errors may be entitled to compensation for lifelong medical and caregiving costs.
Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Damage
Cerebral palsy often results from oxygen deprivation or trauma sustained during childbirth. This condition can affect movement, muscle control, and cognitive function, creating lifelong challenges for both the child and the family.
While some cases are unavoidable, others occur because of delayed intervention, poor monitoring, or improper use of delivery tools. Identifying the cause is critical to determining whether negligence played a role. A skilled birth injury attorney can help families understand their rights and pursue justice for preventable neurological harm.
Physical and Orthopedic Birth Injuries
Physical birth injuries range from broken bones to nerve damage, and they often result when excessive force is used during a difficult delivery. Common examples include shoulder dystocia, brachial plexus injuries, or fractures due to improper use of forceps. These injuries can lead to long-term mobility issues or permanent weakness in the affected limb.
In many cases, a more cautious approach, timely C-section, or proper fetal monitoring could have prevented harm. Legal recourse can help families recover the financial support needed for rehabilitation and ongoing care.
How a Birth Injury Attorney Can Help Your Family in Dallas
A birth injury lawyer plays an essential role in uncovering the truth behind delivery room mistakes. At Aldous Law, our attorneys work with medical experts to evaluate hospital records, identify errors, and demonstrate where breaches in the standard of care occurred.
We also handle the legal burdens on your behalf by negotiating with insurance companies, building your case, and advocating tirelessly for fair compensation. Our goal is to provide both clarity and compassion, helping your family focus on healing while we handle the fight for justice.
Why Families Across Dallas Trust Aldous Law
Families choose Aldous Law because we combine experienced advocacy with personal commitment. Our founding attorney, Charla Aldous, has built a reputation for standing up to powerful hospitals and insurance companies to secure life-changing results for clients.
We approach each case with the understanding that a child’s future and a family’s peace of mind are on the line. By offering honest guidance and dedicated representation, we’ve earned the trust of families across Dallas and beyond. Your case matters deeply to us because we know what’s at stake.
Dallas-Focused Representation for Birth Injury Claims
Birth injury laws and hospital procedures vary across states, making local knowledge critical in these cases. Aldous Law has decades of experience handling Texas medical negligence claims and understands how local hospitals and healthcare systems operate.
Our Dallas-based team is familiar with the medical experts, court systems, and procedural rules specific to this region. This local insight allows us to represent families more effectively and strategically. When you work with us, you receive advocacy tailored specifically to Dallas-area birth injury claims.
Time Limits for Filing a Birth Injury Claim in Texas
Every birth injury case is subject to a statute of limitations, which sets deadlines for filing a legal claim. In Texas, these deadlines can depend on when the injury occurred or was discovered. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to seek compensation, making early legal guidance essential.
Texas Statute of Limitations for Birth Injury Cases
Under Texas law, most medical malpractice claims, including birth injury claims, must be filed within two years of the date of negligence. However, there are exceptions when the injured party is a minor, which may allow additional time.
Because these rules can be complex, it’s important to speak with an experienced birth injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our firm will help you understand your rights under Texas law and ensure that your claim is filed correctly and on time. Acting quickly protects your ability to pursue justice for your child’s injuries.
