Michigan Birth Injury FAQs
Is a birth injury the same thing as a birth defect?
No. A birth defect occurs while the baby is still in the mother’s womb. By contrast, a birth injury takes place during labor or after delivery.
Most birth defects happen in the first three months of pregnancy. The infant is born with structural impairments that may or may not be treatable. Common examples of birth defects include Down Syndrome, cleft palate, spina bifida, fetal alcohol syndrome and several types of heart conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect.
Birth injuries can also have serious impacts on a child’s health. Difficult deliveries can result in brain injuries, nerve damage, shoulder dystocia, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy. After birth, infants may experience severe and even deadly complications from other preventable injuries such as kernicterus, Rh Incompatibility or Group B strep, among others.
How common are birth injuries?
Birth injuries are much less common than birth defects. Of every 1,000 births in the United States, approximately six babies are born with birth injuries.
What is medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or healthcare provider causes harm or exacerbates a naturally occurring injury by failing to adhere to the expected standard of care.
What types of medical errors may constitute malpractice when it comes to my baby’s birth injury?
Examples of negligence in birth injury cases might include failing to monitor the baby’s heart rate for signs of distress or improperly administering medications that cause damage to the infant and/or the mother. Other actions that may support a malpractice claim include delaying to perform a cesarean section in a timely manner, failing to notice or treat umbilical cord or placenta problems, failing to observe bleeding problems or signs of infection, or not following routine protocols during delivery.
How do I know if my baby’s birth injuries will merit a lawsuit?
A qualified birth injury attorney like the ones at the Stroble Law Firm can evaluate your specific circumstances and advise you about your legal options. Sometimes birth injuries are unavoidable, but a lawyer can help you determine whether your newborn’s injuries may be the result of negligence.
How soon do I have to file a complaint about my baby’s birth injury?
Every state sets its own time limit, called a statute of limitations, on how long a person has to file a lawsuit in court. That time frame often varies based on the type of case (personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, etc.) and other specific circumstances dictated by law. Contact a Michigan attorney to find out how the statute of limitations might apply in your birth injury case. There are special statutes in Michigan regarding injuries to children as a result of malpractice, so speaking with an attorney as soon as possible is very important.
Has Your Newborn Been Hurt? Contact Our Birth Injury Lawyers Today
If you suspect your baby was injured due to medical negligence, contact the birth injury attorneys at The Stroble Law Firm, P.C. Our compassionate attorneys will evaluate your case to determine if there was wrongdoing and zealously work to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Call The Stroble Law Firm, P.C. at (888) 454-0801, or contact us online for a free evaluation of your claim. If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.
Based in Bloomfield Hills, The Stroble Law Firm represents clients across Michigan, including Macomb County, Oakland County, Warren, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Mount Clemens, Utica, Roseville, Troy, Farmington Hills, Waterford, Southfield, Pontiac, Birmingham Michigan, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills.
Call The Stroble Law Firm, P.C. at (888) 454-0801, or contact our medical negligence lawyers online for an evaluation of your claim. If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.
A Closer Look At Hospital Negligence
Hospital negligence is defined as the failure of hospital staff to provide the accepted standard of care, resulting in a patient’s injury or illness. Hospital staff can include nurses, medical technicians or other support professionals, as well as physicians. Some malpractice claims resulting from a hospital injury may involve a physician directly, while others may involve the hospital – the circumstances of your injury determine who could be held liable.
Hospital negligence can take many forms. Some of the most common instances of hospital negligence include the following:
- Surgical errors;
- Labor and delivery errors;
- Medication errors;
- Anesthesia errors;
- Failure to respond to patient;
- Failure to properly monitor patient;
- Communication errors that result in delayed or incorrect treatment;
- Improper patient discharge;
- Failure to provide patients with post-operative directions;
- Improper supervision of a new staff member, such as a nurse or nurse’s assistant;
- Misplaced files;
- Poor sanitation of medical instruments and hospital rooms;
- Hospital abuse.
Regardless of the cause, the consequences of hospital negligence can be very dangerous. A poorly monitored patient’s condition may quickly worsen, causing long-term damage. Unsanitary conditions can lead to deadly infections. Mistakes in medication can have fatal complications.
Legal Help For Your Hospital Mistake Claim
If you have been injured as a result of hospital negligence, you are entitled to hold the institution accountable. However, hospitals employ their own legal counsel and are used to fighting negligence claims. A medical malpractice attorney with experience in hospital negligence claims can help evaluate the circumstances of your injury or illness and determine whether you have a case.
The medical negligence lawyers of The Stroble Law Firm, P.C. represents victims and their families who have been hurt by hospital negligence. We work with qualified medical experts to carefully assess your injuries and your case to determine the most effective strategy designed with your best interests in mind. We have helped many victims in Michigan recover what was rightfully theirs. We can help you and your family too.
