Types of Birth Injury Cases We Handle
Birth injuries encompass a wide range of injuries that occur during labor, delivery, or shortly after birth. Our medical malpractice lawyers have successfully represented families in Washington after their child suffered a serious birth injury, including:
Cerebral Palsy
Brachial Plexus Injuries, such as Erb’s palsy & Klumpke’s palsy
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Perinatal Asphyxia
Intracranial Hemorrhage
Spinal Cord Injuries
Fractures
These injuries can range from mild to severe, with some requiring a lifetime of medical interventions, therapies, and accommodations. The financial and emotional toll on families cannot be overstated.
When Negligence Causes a Birth Injury
While not all birth injuries are preventable, many occur due to substandard care by obstetricians, nurses, or other medical staff. Examples of negligence that can lead to birth injuries include:
Failure to monitor fetal distress signs and intervene in a timely manner
Misuse of forceps, vacuum extractors, or other birthing tools
Delayed or improper performance of emergency C-sections
Mismanagement of high-risk pregnancies (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes)
Failure to diagnose and treat maternal infections that can harm the baby
Medication errors, such as improper dosage of labor-inducing drugs
When medical professionals fail to adhere to the accepted standard of care and birth injuries occur as a result, they can and should be held liable. Families shouldn't have to bear the astronomical expenses of their child's care due to someone else's negligence.
The High Cost of Birth Injuries
Raising a child with a birth injury is emotionally challenging enough. But for many families, the financial strain can be crippling. The lifetime costs of caring for a child with cerebral palsy, for example, can exceed $1 million. That figure includes medical expenses, adaptive equipment, home modifications, special education, therapy, and lost wages for parents who must leave the workforce to become full-time caregivers.
No family should face financial ruin because a trusted medical professional failed to uphold their duty of care. It's fundamentally unfair for parents to shoulder the burden of a preventable birth injury. However, holding negligent parties accountable can provide the resources to ensure their child receives the best possible care and opportunity to thrive.
That's why it is important to talk to an experienced birth injury attorney who can review your case, investigate what went wrong, and advise you on the best path forward is essential. At Swanson Gardner Meyers Cohon PLLC, we're committed to being that trusted advocate for families.
We can uncover the truth in even the most complex birth injury cases. We'll thoroughly review medical records, consult with renowned experts, and identify deviations from the standard of care. If we determine that negligence caused your child's birth injury, we'll fight tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable.
A successful birth injury claim can provide the financial security to ensure your child receives top-notch medical care, cutting-edge therapies, essential equipment, and valuable support services. It can alleviate the stress of mounting expenses and give you the peace of mind to focus on your child's well-being. While no amount of money can undo the harm caused, it can provide your family with a brighter, more hopeful future.
