The Importance of Hiring a Dallas Birth Injury Attorney
Did you know that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1 in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect in the United States? Many of these birth defects can be attributed to medical negligence, making it crucial for affected families to seek the assistance of a Dallas birth injury lawyer. When faced with the heartbreak and challenges that come with birth injuries, it’s important to have an experienced and compassionate attorney by your side.
A skilled Dallas birth injury attorney can help families navigate through the complex legal process, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve for their child’s suffering. They will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the birth injury, identify the responsible parties, and build a strong case to hold them accountable.
Types of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can occur for various reasons, but some of the most common types include:
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is a group of neurological disorders affecting movement, muscle tone, and coordination. It is often caused by brain damage during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after birth. A skilled Dallas birth injury attorney can help determine if medical negligence played a role in the development of a child’s cerebral palsy.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the arm and hand. Injuries to these nerves can result in limited mobility, weakness, and even paralysis. Brachial plexus injuries can occur during a difficult childbirth, especially when a baby’s shoulder becomes trapped behind the mother’s pelvic bone. A Dallas birth injury lawyer can help determine if a medical professional’s negligence led to this type of injury.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE is a type of brain damage that occurs when a baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood during delivery. This can result in developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and seizures. If a medical professional fails to monitor and respond to signs of fetal distress during labor, they may be held liable for the resulting HIE.
Skull Fractures and Head Injuries
During a difficult birth, a baby’s skull can sustain fractures and other head injuries. These injuries can lead to brain damage, seizures, and other long-term complications. A Dallas birth injury attorney can help families determine if medical negligence played a role in their child’s skull fracture or head injury.
Proving Medical Negligence in Birth Injury Cases
In order to successfully hold a medical professional liable for a birth injury, a Dallas birth injury lawyer must be able to prove that their actions or inactions directly caused the harm. This requires establishing the following elements:
Duty of Care
First, it must be shown that the medical professional had a duty to provide a certain standard of care to the mother and baby. This typically involves demonstrating that a doctor-patient relationship existed at the time of the injury.
Breach of Duty
Next, the attorney must prove that the medical professional breached their duty of care by failing to provide the appropriate standard of care. This can include errors in diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
Causation
The most challenging aspect of a birth injury case is proving that the medical professional’s breach of duty directly caused the baby’s injury. A Dallas birth injury attorney will work with medical experts to establish a clear link between the negligent actions and the resulting harm.
Damages
Lastly, the lawyer must demonstrate that the baby and family have suffered damages as a result of the injury. This can include things like medical expenses, physical therapy, and special education costs, as well as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
Compensation for Birth Injury Victims
Families dealing with the aftermath of a birth injury may be entitled to compensation to help cover the costs associated with their child’s care and to provide for their future needs. A Dallas birth injury lawyer can help families pursue compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses, including past and future treatment, surgery, and therapy
- Special education and tutoring costs
- Assistive devices and home modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
How a Dallas Birth Injury Attorney Can Help
The legal process surrounding birth injury cases can be confusing and overwhelming, especially for families already dealing with the emotional and financial stresses of having a child with a birth injury. A skilled Dallas birth injury lawyer can provide much-needed support and guidance during this difficult time.
At Adley Law Firm, their experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping families affected by birth injuries seek justice and obtain the compensation they need to care for their child. With a track record of success in birth injury cases, you can trust them to be the advocates you need. Reach out to them at (713) 999-8669 or visit their office at 1421 Preston St, Houston, TX 77002 for a free consultation.
In addition to birth injury cases, Adley Law Firm also handles other personal injury cases, such as bicycle accidents, car accidents, dog bites, drunk driving accidents, food poisoning, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and truck accidents. With their expertise and commitment to their clients, you can be confident in their ability to handle your case with the care and attention it deserves.