Abogado de Lesiones al Nacimiento en el Condado de Orange

If you are the parent of a child who has suffered a birth injury, you may feel overwhelmed with worry. Even worse, you may have evidence that hospital staff negligence may have caused your child’s injuries. According to the California Department of Public Health, birth injuries occur at a rate of approximately 2.8 per 1,000 live births in the state.

If this is the case, you may be able to file a birth injury claim against the hospital or medical professional responsible for your child’s injuries. A compassionate Orange County birth injury attorney, like those at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, can help you determine if you are legally entitled to compensation and will assist you in pursuing that right in court, if necessary.

Warning Signs of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can occur to any child during birth, even if the delivery takes place in a hospital setting. The chances of your child suffering one of these serious injuries increase if they receive care from a negligent doctor or medical staff member. That staff member may not have used the appropriate protocol for your family’s situation. Signs that something went wrong include:

• A baby’s arm is paralyzed after birth.
• The baby does not appear to respond normally after birth.
• The staff allegedly dropped or mishandled your child during delivery.

These aren’t the only warning signs. If your child has shown signs that something is wrong, getting a second opinion and the help of an attorney can help you get answers as soon as possible.

Types of Birth Injuries That May Warrant Hiring a Lawyer

Injuries can occur when something goes wrong with the natural birthing process, such as the following:

• Premature separation of the placenta, or placenta previa.
• Breech presentation, also called breech birth.
• Vaginal tears or perineal lacerations.
• Umbilical cord compression.

Birth injuries occur during the birth process and can result in lifelong disabilities or even death. Because of this, birth injury claims in Orange County often warrant seeking an attorney to guide you through the settlement process or in court. But when does a birth injury warrant hiring an attorney?

The main thing to consider in a birth injury case is whether the doctor could have prevented your injuries if he or she had been careful with you and your child. If his or her actions and negligence led to these injuries, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

Damages in a Birth Injury Case in Orange County

Your attorney can help you determine what types of damages you may receive as compensation. Birth injury cases vary widely, but in general, the following are compensable damages you may receive:

• Medical Bills : This includes hospitalization and treatment costs, as well as any medications your child needs to treat ongoing conditions.
• Lost Wages : As a parent, you may have lost income due to time off work to care for your child. Your Orange County birth injury attorney can help you recover these damages. Lost wages may also include the loss of future earning potential for your child if they are disabled by a birth injury.
• Pain and Suffering : These are non-economic damages that include things like emotional anguish or mental pain that may occur because your child was injured. These types of damages are often more difficult to calculate than others because they are subjective, but your Orange County attorney can help.
• Loss of Consortium : If your relationship with your spouse has been negatively affected by injuries, you may be able to recover damages for loss of consortium in addition to any other damages to which you may be entitled.

What Funding Can I Expect from a Birth Injury Case in Orange County?

The amount of money you can receive in a birth injury lawsuit depends on several factors. For example, the severity and duration of your child’s injury can make a significant difference to your claim.

If your child has suffered a serious birth injury, such as brain damage or paralysis, they will likely require lifelong care. That means higher damage awards when it comes time to settle or go before a jury.

Whether medical malpractice was involved in the cause of your child’s condition can also make a difference. In some cases, accidents occur, and the injury could not have been prevented. If the doctor took precautions, you may not be able to seek anything. But if the doctor was careless or even grossly negligent, you could be eligible for much greater compensation.

Find a Birth Injury Attorney in Orange County

Not all birth injury cases go to court. Some can be settled out of court. But if you’re dealing with a large insurance company, they may have more resources than you do. If this is your case, they’ll often try to settle for less than your case is actually worth.

Because of this, it may be in your best interest to decline their initial offer and seek the assistance of an Orange County birth injury attorney, such as the attorneys at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys. For a free consultation, call our team at 949.535.1341 or complete the online contact form below.