Orlando Birth Injury Attorney

Get Unique Insight from a Birth Injury Lawyer Who Is Also a Medical Doctor

Injuries that occur to a mother or baby during birth may last a lifetime. 

Many birth injuries are simply known complications of the natural process of labor and delivery; however, in some circumstances, the obstetrical team may not recognize fetal distress in a timely manner or promptly arrange for a cesarean section to perform an emergency delivery.

The result of nursing or obstetrical negligence can lead to catastrophic injury to a child, including hypoxic brain damage, mental incapacitation, physical impairment, and cerebral palsy. The mental and physical disabilities to a newborn may be permanent and financially burdensome.

If you or your child has suffered a birth injury at the hands of a negligent doctor, you have the right to seek compensation. Our birth injury attorney in Orlando will review your case for free and help you understand your rights when you call (407) 305-6088 or contact us online.

Common Causes of Birth Injuries

Improper Use of Forceps and Vacuums

The improper use of forceps and vacuum extractors is one of the most common causes of preventable birth injuries. Forceps and vacuum extractors are medical instruments used to help guide a baby through the birth canal during delivery. If these instruments are used improperly, they can cause serious injury to both the mother and the baby, such as lacerations, skull fractures, or nerve damage.

Failure to Monitor Fetal Heart Rate

During labor and delivery, it is important for doctors to closely monitor the baby's heart rate in order to detect any signs of distress that may indicate a potential complication with the baby's health. If these signs are not detected early enough, it can have catastrophic consequences for the baby.

Delay in Performing an Emergency C-Section

In some cases, labor can become too difficult or dangerous for a vaginal delivery and an emergency C-section must be performed in order to safely deliver the baby. If this procedure is delayed due to negligence on the part of medical staff, it can lead to a number of serious complications and injuries.

Failure to Diagnose Pregnancy Complications

It is important for doctors to monitor pregnant women closely throughout their pregnancies in order to detect any potential issues, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. If these conditions are not diagnosed early enough, they can lead to serious injury or even death for both mother and baby. 

Improperly Administering Medications

Doctors often administer medication during labor in order to ease pain or reduce stress on the mother's body during childbirth; however, if these medications are administered incorrectly, it can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby, such as respiratory distress or low blood pressure levels. 

Excessive Pulling During Delivery 

While gentle pulling may be necessary at times in order to assist with delivering a healthy baby, excess force can put undue strain on both mother and child, which can result in serious injury, such as broken bones or nerve damage. This is a common cause of brachial plexus injury and Erb's palsy.

Expensive Lifetime Care

Most parents are emotionally and financially overwhelmed by the birth of a child with significant, permanent injuries. Birth injuries can result in an extraordinary financial burden to the victims and their families. The loss of wages and costs of a lifetime of care for a permanently disabled child may be devastating. 

The pain and suffering experienced by these individuals can seem unbearable and insurmountable. Therefore, many families rightfully seek qualified legal representation to file a valid claim for compensation.

A qualified birth injury lawyer in Orlando can assist you in determining whether reasonable medical care was provided during your child’s delivery. If the injury was caused by negligence, the offending health care provider could be held accountable.

Filing a birth injury lawsuit could help you recover compensation for:

• Specialty residential care
• Long-term need for medications
• Necessary therapies
• Continuing education
• Funeral expenses

As an example of the economic impact, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) reported in 2003 that the average lifetime cost of caring for a child with cerebral palsy was $921,000. This figure does not include out-of-pocket expenses such as:

• Hospital confinement or residential care
• Adaptive equipment
• Leg braces, walker, or wheelchair
• Medication
• Housing modifications such as wheelchair access

Learn More in a Free Consultation

If you are in the Central Florida or Orlando, Florida area and your child was injured during delivery or has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy as the result of suspected medical negligence, don't wait to discuss your options with an Orlando birth injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D.

Mr. Barszcz is a medical doctor and experienced civil trial attorney who represents injured children and their families. His experience as a former defense attorney for hospitals, physicians, and insurance companies provides a unique insight into the evaluation of all medical claims.

 Has your child suffered a serious birth injury as a result of medical negligence? Contact Mr. Barszcz to discuss your case free of charge. Call (407) 305-6088 or contact our firm online to get started.