Indianapolis Birth Injury Attorneys
The day a child is born is one of the most joyous moments in any parent’s lifetime. Advances in prenatal diagnosis and obstetrical care have made most child deliveries in today’s 21st century safe and successful.
However, preventable injuries to the baby and/or the mother still occur during the labor and delivery process. A birth injury can leave a child with a lifetime of setbacks and medical complications.
If your family has been impacted by a birth injury in Indiana resulting from possible medical negligence, it is important to know your legal rights.
The law firm of Doehrman Buba Ring is known for successfully representing families in birth injury cases. We are here to help you understand your rights and seek justice for any injuries sustained during childbirth. Contact our team today for a free consultation.
What is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury refers to any harm or damage sustained by a baby during the labor and delivery process. These injuries can range from minor, easily treatable conditions to more severe, long-lasting disorders.
Is a Birth Injury the Same As a Birth Defect?
No, birth injuries are not the same as birth defects. A birth injury typically occurs during the labor and delivery process due to complications or medical negligence. In contrast, a birth defect is a condition that develops in the womb, often due to genetic factors, environmental influences, or a combination of both, and is usually identified before or at birth.
Why Do Birth Injuries Occur?
Many birth injuries happen because of an obstetrician’s improper use of a medical technique or device. Some common examples of preventable birth injuries include the following:
- Twisting and/or pulling an infant in an improper fashion during delivery
- Mishandling or improperly using birth-assisting tools like forceps or a vacuum extraction tool
- Administering the wrong type or wrong amount of a certain medication to the mother during pregnancy or labor
- Failing to properly monitor the infant’s distress or heartbeat
- Failing to schedule and perform an emergency C-section when necessary
Other inexcusable reasons for preventable birth injuries can even include a physician’s exhaustion, inattentiveness, and inexperience.
Common Birth Injuries
Childbirth complications can lead to serious birth trauma for the baby. Some of the most frequent and severe injuries that can occur during childbirth include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Erb’s palsy
- Brain damage
- Facial paralysis
- Orthopedic injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Fractures
- Brachial plexus palsy
- Temporary paralysis
- Group B strep infection
Approximately 6 out of every 1,000 births involve some level of birth injury. Some injuries are discovered right away, while others may not present themselves for months or even years.
Symptoms of Birth Injuries
Parents should watch for common symptoms of a potential birth injury. These indicators can vary but often include:
- Poor coordination
- Lack of depth perception
- Muscle spasms
- Delayed motor development
- Poor balance
- Paralysis
A birth injury may necessitate a lifetime of prescription drugs, medical attention, and specialized care. Recognizing these symptoms early can be crucial for getting the necessary support and interventions.
Immediate Steps After a Suspected Birth Injury
Medical Care
If you suspect your baby has suffered a birth injury, your immediate focus should be on their health. Ensure your child receives prompt medical attention for any visible injuries. It’s vital to ask your healthcare providers to thoroughly explain the nature of the injury and the expected care plan, making sure to obtain all relevant medical documentation related to your baby’s condition and treatment.
For injuries that might not be apparent immediately but emerge over time, it’s crucial to consult with your child’s healthcare provider. Inquire about any health issues your child is experiencing and discuss whether these could be associated with birth injuries.
Contact Our Indianapolis Birth Injury Lawyers
After securing the necessary medical care for your child and determining the potential linkage between their condition and a birth injury, it’s time to take legal steps. Contacting a birth injury lawyer, such as our experienced team at Doehrman Buba Ring, is critical. Given Indiana’s statute of limitations, it’s important to act swiftly once a birth injury is identified to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
How To Know If You Have a Case
Determining if a birth injury is grounds for legal action can be complex. At Doehrman Buba Ring, our expertise lies in distinguishing between unavoidable injuries and those resulting from medical negligence. It’s crucial to recognize that not all birth-related injuries are preventable or the fault of healthcare providers. However, if a known issue was overlooked or improperly managed during the birth process, leading to preventable harm, this constitutes grounds for legal action.
Recognizing when it’s time to seek the advice of a birth injury lawyer in Indiana can significantly impact your course of action. Here are four factors that can help you decide if you have a case:
Did your child suffer a birth injury?
The occurrence of a birth injury itself is a clear indicator that you should consult with an experienced birth injury lawyer. Whether the injury is immediately apparent or identified later through developmental delays or other health issues, understanding the cause and ensuring your child receives appropriate care is critical. Legal counsel can help determine if the injury was due to medical negligence and advise on the steps to take to seek justice and compensation for your child.
Was the healthcare provider’s course of action consistent with Indiana’s medical standards?
Assessing whether a healthcare provider’s actions are aligned with Indiana’s medical standards is pivotal in proving a birth injury case. Indiana enforces specific care protocols and standards that medical professionals must adhere to. This includes the proper use of birth-assisting tools, monitoring fetal distress, and deciding when a cesarean section is necessary. A deviation from these standards, evidenced by injury, supports a strong birth injury claim claim. Expert testimonies often highlight the discrepancies in care provided versus what’s expected in Indiana.
Were there any known risk factors or complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery that were ignored by the healthcare provider?
If your pregnancy or delivery was associated with known risk factors for birth injuries, it’s important to evaluate whether these were properly identified and managed by your healthcare providers. Risk factors can include maternal health issues, the baby’s position during delivery, or prolonged labor, among others. Healthcare providers are trained to monitor these conditions closely and take necessary precautions or interventions to reduce the risk of injury. Failure to do so may constitute negligence.
Did your child suffer their injury due to negligence, carelessness, or inexperience of the healthcare provider?
Pinpointing negligence or carelessness as the root of your child’s birth injury is crucial for a legal challenge. This can range from inadequate monitoring of vital signs to misuse of birth-assisting tools or delayed medical procedures. Carelessness might manifest as poor handling of emergencies or medication mistakes, while inexperience can lead to mishandled complications. Thorough documentation of all medical care, including decisions and timing, is essential for building a compelling case. A birth injury arising from such failures can significantly bolster your claim for damages.
Navigating these legal waters requires professional insight. Our team is dedicated to guiding you through assessing the circumstances of the injury and determining if you have a viable birth injury lawsuit. Trust in our experience to provide the clarity and support you need during this challenging time.
How Can We Help?
At Doehrman Buba Ring, our commitment to supporting families affected by birth injuries is profound. Our team combines compassion with legal acumen to address your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you every step of the way.
Free Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation, we’ll listen to your story with empathy and attention. This meeting allows us to understand the details of your case and provide a preliminary assessment of your legal options.
Investigation and Documentation
We undertake a thorough investigation of the medical records and circumstances surrounding your child’s birth. Our aim is to document any deviations from medical standards and identify signs of negligence or malpractice.
Expert Partnership
Our access to a network of medical experts ensures that your case is reviewed with the highest level of professional scrutiny. These experts help substantiate claims of medical negligence by correlating it with the injury suffered.
Tailored Legal Strategy
Based on the evidence and expert opinions, we tailor a legal strategy suited to your specific situation. This strategy aims to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the compensation necessary for your child’s ongoing care and well-being.
Aggressive Legal Representation
Our experienced litigators are unwavering in their pursuit of justice for your child. We’re committed to securing the most favorable outcome through negotiation or trial.
Support Beyond the Courtroom
Our relationship with our clients extends beyond legal proceedings. We understand the challenges that families face following a birth injury and offer guidance on how to access additional resources for medical, emotional, and financial support.
At Doehrman Buba Ring, we are more than legal representatives; we are allies in your pursuit of justice and advocates for your child’s future.
Types Of Birth Injury Cases Our Firm Handles
At Doehrman Buba Ring in Indianapolis, our injury attorneys have more than 50 combined years of experience helping people who have suffered from birth injuries and other cases of medical malpractice.
We pursue claims for clients in situations including but not limited to:
- Cerebral palsy
- Hypoxia and anoxic brain injuries
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Failure to perform a C-section
- VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) injuries
- Vacuum or forceps delivery complications
Contact Our Birth Injury Lawyers Today
If you believe your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, know that you are not alone in this difficult time. At Doehrman Buba Ring, our dedicated team of professionals understands the complexities involved in birth injury cases and is ready to provide you with the support, expertise, and representation you need to achieve justice. We encourage you to reach out to us for a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Together, we can explore your legal options and determine the best path forward for securing the compensation and care your child deserves. Contact our birth injury lawyers today for a free consultation to take the first step towards finding the justice and support your family needs.
