Lake Oswego Birth Injury Lawyer
Most parents and birthing people enter labor and delivery excited to meet their baby. Everyone gets nervous, but most feel more at ease knowing they will be cared for and monitored by a physician and nursing team. If a care team member is negligent in this, it can have devastating results for the parent and child. If your child has suffered a preventable birth injury due to provider negligence, you may want to speak with our Lake Oswego birth injury lawyer to see if you qualify for compensation.
At Paulson Coletti, we know that birth injuries can mean your child has additional needs that are costly to meet. Our Lake Oswego medical malpractice attorney is ready to help you fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
Causes of Birth Injury
The medical term for birth injury is a very generalized term encompassing many situations that may not result in long-term injury or physician negligence. However, many of the below situations may increase the risks of significant injury to your child and should be accompanied by informed consent and a plan should something go wrong:
- A larger baby weighing more than 8lbs 13oz
- Premature baby with a more fragile body
- Dystocia
- Breech, transverse, or other abnormal birth presentation
- Placental abnormalities
- Umbilical cord abnormalities
Many of these situations may not be something your physician caused but would generally be something that an obstetrician would notice. If your obstetrician missed something others in their position likely would have noticed and treated, this may be considered malpractice.
Effects of Birth Injury
The effects of a significant birth injury can range from something more minor, such as a scar from a rushed cesarean, to death. The lasting results we see when working with families victimized by malpractice include:
- Emotional stress from disfiguring injuries
- Costly therapeutic needs including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy
- Frequent medical appointments
- Assistive devices
- Medication
- Cost of caregivers or a parent is unable to work
The emotional toll this takes on parents and families is not one that can be understated. The distress of watching your child navigate a life that should have been easier because of one person’s negligence is devastating for many. We would be remiss to consider the distress parents feel without also highlighting the fact that the child is the one shouldering most of the burden, whether that is mobility issues, disfigurement, or cognitive delays from anoxic brain injury.
Potential Compensation Available in a Birth Injury Claim
Aside from an effort to hold a negligent physician or hospital accountable, the goal of most malpractice lawsuits is to recover money lost to injuries caused by the defendant. Some of the compensation that may be available to you is:
- Medical costs, including therapies, medication, and medical devices
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Support services
What to Do If You Lost Your Child Due to a Birth Injury
If you have suffered the loss of your child due to a birth injury from a negligent physician, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit. There is no amount of money that can take away the hurt of your loss, but financial compensation may provide you cushioning to mourn the way you need to without the added stress of how you will pay your bills.
Contact Our Lake Oswego Birth Injury Attorney Today
At Paulson Coletti, we can help you handle the legal pieces so you can dedicate more time to healing. Contact us through our online contact form or by calling (503) 226-6361 to schedule your free consultation.