There are few events in the life of a couple that are as exciting and joyful as the birth of a child. Emotions and expectations run high as a new life is brought into the world. New parents have a reasonable expectation that the delivery of their new baby will go well, and that the attending physicians and nurses will completely and thoroughly follow proper protocol and procedure. While it is not unreasonable for parents to have this expectation, there are times in which either the physicians or nurses commit acts of medical malpractice or medical negligence that result in a serious birth injury to the baby. When a baby is injured at birth due to the negligent action or inaction of the healthcare provider, the birth injury may be considered medical malpractice. If parents are unsure whether their baby’s birth injury was related to medical malpractice or physician negligence, Robinson & Associates can provide information, a detailed case review and answers to your questions. Robinson & Associates, medical malpractice lawyers, has offices in Maryland and Washington D.C.

Thankfully, birth injuries due to medical malpractice are not terribly common but these injuries can be catastrophic when they occur. Birth injuries typically have a significant, permanent impact on the life of the child; while some birth injuries will be more readily apparent, it may take several months or even years before the birth injuries are identified. Types of birth injuries that occur due to medical malpractice include: cerebral palsy, birth paralysis, Erbs palsy, and shoulder dystocia. With proper and timely treatment, many of these types of birth injuries can be identified and possibly treated. However, if the physicians or nurses do not identify these potential birth injuries in a judicious and timely manner, life-altering injuries can result. Robinson and Associates provides information and answers to your Maryland or Washington D.C. medical malpractice questions. We offer free detailed case reviews by knowledgeable and experienced trial attorneys backed up with expert medical reviews to assist victims with their medical malpractice claims.

Children with birth injuries generally require a lifetime of very expensive medical care with specialized treatment. This can be both financially and emotionally draining for parents. When parents can prove that the birth injury occurred due to the medical negligence of the physicians or nurses, the parents may be entitled to significant financial compensation by those responsible for the birth injury. An experienced attorney can assist the parents in obtaining the necessary documentation and evidence to show how the healthcare provider’s actions were the proximate cause of the child’s birth injury. The attorney will work to identify those specifically responsible for the injury to the child and will work to ensure the responsible party is held liable for damages.

Robinson & Associates can help parents of children with birth injuries secondary to medical malpractice and negligence pursue their claim in a proper and intelligent fashion. With free thorough and detailed case reviews and expert medical analysis, we offer parents the resources, guidance and piece of mind they need to obtain the monetary compensation to which they may be entitled. While a substantial financial recovery will obviously not cure a child’s birth injury, the monies can be used to help the child live a more enjoyable and a better quality of life.

Birth Injuries & Cerebral Palsy

When a fetus or baby experiences some type of brain injury, cerebral palsy can result. Cerebral palsy is a crippling condition that can make movement difficult due to either loose or stiff muscles. In some cases, children affected by cerebral palsy will experience mental retardation or seizures. There are many factors that can cause a child to develop cerebral palsy, and these factors include: low birth weight, infections during pregnancy, multiple births, blood type incompatibility, the mother’s exposure to toxic substances, complicated labor, and babies that are small for their gestational age. All of these circumstances can lead to the development of cerebral palsy.

When a mother and child endure a complicated labor, the risk to the lives of both the child and the mother are greater. The attending physicians and nurses must be ready to provide emergency treatment if and/or when necessary to ensure that the health of both the mother and baby are protected. When these healthcare providers fail to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner, the lives of both the mother and child can be jeopardized. If the child suffers a birth injury due to the healthcare provider’s lack of timely response and appropriate treatment, the family may have a medical malpractice claim. When evidence can be provided proving that the child’s cerebral palsy was the result of a birth injury due to medical malpractice, the family may be entitled to financial compensation by those responsible for the child’s injury.

Cerebral palsy is usually diagnosed by age 3. Children may show early signs that they are not developing properly, and sometimes these signs begin as early as 2 months of age. A child’s muscle tone may be too loose or too rigid. The child may favor one side of the body over the other. Children with cerebral palsy often have a difficult time learning to roll over, sit up, and smile. Crawling and walking are often delayed or difficult for the child. Parents in Maryland and Washington D.C. that suspect their child has cerebral palsy may want to contact a lawyer if they believe their child’s condition may be related to medical malpractice.

Robinson and Associates is a law firm that is dedicated to assisting parents of children suffering from cerebral palsy as the result of medical malpractice. Our experienced lawyers offer a free, no obligation consultation to parents in Maryland and Washington D.C. Because caring for a child with cerebral palsy can be financially draining, parents should ensure that they receive the money to which they are entitled if their child was injured due to medical malpractice.