Each year thousands of children in America are born with preventable birth injuries. Mismanagement during the prenatal period, during delivery and in the neonatal nursery can lead to devastating neurological and orthopedic problems.
Failing to diagnose developing problems throughout the prenatal period and failing to act quickly when signs of distress occur during delivery are two of the most common problems. By representing children and their families for more than three decades, I can personally attest to the extraordinary pain and suffering the entire family endures when one of these injuries occurs.
If you believe, or even just suspect, that your child’s birth injury was preventable, a thorough cost-free evaluation should be performed by legal counsel with the experience and knowledge to sort out the causes of the injury and whether anyone should be held responsible for it.
Every child with an injury diagnosed as “spastic quadriplegia” or “cerebral palsy” should have a legal review of the medical care provided. Again, the review is free. If it is decided that a lawsuit should be filed, the attorney’s fees are based on a portion of the settlement. If the lawsuit is unsuccessful, there is no fee charged. Although the legal case can be very complex and time-consuming, it is the best way to get the real answers about your baby’s birth injuries.
In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date that the injury was known. To be safe, a lawsuit should be filed within three years of the date of birth.
Choosing the right lawyer to represent you and your child is critical. The firm must have years of experience and the financial ability to fund the case.
The lawyers at Decof, Barry, Mega & Quinn, P.C. have represented families of injured children for decades. I was an invited speaker at the American Conference Institute’s 16th Annual Advanced Forum on Obstetric Malpractice Claims in Philadelphia in June 2017. Many scientific presentations on prevention of injuries to infants were given, but it remains clear that far too many children are still suffering life-altering injuries that could have been prevented.
If your child was born with birth injuries, your child should be compensated for the medical expenses, loss of income earning potential, and any physical pain or mental suffering that is endured.
It all starts with a phone call or email to us at Decof, Barry, Mega & Quinn.
Photo Credit: © Copyright Zivya and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons License