Are you concerned your child may have sustained a birth injury due to medical malpractice? Take action right away by contacting a birth injury lawyer. By seeking birth injury legal help immediately, you can ensure you do not miss critical deadlines and lose your opportunity to pursue compensation in court.
Even if your child has not received a formal diagnosis, contact a Halifax birth injury lawyer from Wagners Law Firm. We can investigate the cause of your child’s condition to evaluate whether you have a valid claim.
Recognizing the Signs of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can occur during childbirth and can be caused by the labour and delivery process. Birth injuries can range from relatively minor to catastrophic.
Birth injuries are different from birth defects. Genetic conditions or developmental problems can cause birth defects that are present at birth. Birth injuries occur during labour and delivery due to complications caused by medical malpractice or issues during prenatal care.
Birth injury symptoms can range from subtle to obvious. Recognizing the symptoms of birth injuries is critical. Some signs to look for immediately after birth are:
- High-pitched crying – Unusual, high-pitched crying or fussiness could indicate a birth injury.
- Feeding – If your child has difficulty sucking, swallowing, or eating, notify your medical provider right away.
- Unusual movement – An arched back while crying, limited mobility, or stiff or awkward movements may be early symptoms of a birth injury.
- Other indications – Excessive drooling or hands curled into a claw-like shape should be immediately evaluated. A low heart rate or oxygen level may also suggest that a birth injury has occurred.
Early detection and intervention are crucial to improve the long-term well-being of babies with birth injuries. Without timely treatment, children can experience lifelong health problems or even fail to survive.
Types of Birth Injuries
Unfortunately, many types of birth injuries can occur. Some common examples include:
- Brachial plexus injury – Erb’s palsy and other brachial plexus injuries affect the baby’s nerves that control the muscular function of their hands, arms, and shoulders. These injuries often occur due to shoulder dystocia, which results when the baby’s head is delivered but its shoulders are stuck in the birth canal.
- Cerebral palsy – Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders typically due to brain damage that affects muscle control and tone. Cerebral palsy can lead to problems with movement, posture, and balance.
- Hydrocephalus – This is a neurological disorder caused by extra fluid buildup in the ventricles deep inside the baby’s brain. The extra fluid causes the ventricles to widen, which puts pressure on the brain, damaging brain tissues and impairing brain function.
Steps to Take Before Contacting a Birth Injury Lawyer
With a lawyer from Wagners Law Firm on your case, you can trust that they know how to build a robust case on your behalf. However, there are certain steps you can take before retaining a lawyer:
- Seek medical attention – Be sure to seek the necessary medical attention after a suspected birth injury so you receive an accurate and thorough diagnosis for your baby.
- Keep a file – Document all the medical treatment your child receives. You should also keep all communications, whether letters, emails, or notes from phone calls, with healthcare providers. Gather all available medical records and keep any documentation provided by any medical provider.
- Be vigilant – You know your child best. Record all observed symptoms of a possible birth injury so you can keep their medical providers apprised of their status. This information will also be important when your lawyer starts working on your case.
Importance of Early Legal Consultation
Early legal consultation with a birth injury lawyer may be crucial to the success of your case. A lawyer will know best how to obtain evidence and documentation of the birth injuries and can help you seek justice and financial compensation related to your child’s injuries and suffering.
Nova Scotia’s statute of limitations allows two years to file a birth injury lawsuit. However, due to the “discoverability rule,” this two-year period commences not at birth but after the person becomes aware of the injury, becomes aware that it is due to negligence or malpractice, or realizes that the injury would require legal action. If your child remains incapacitated until they turn eighteen, the two-year period starts on their eighteenth birthday.
Wagners Law Firm has the legal prowess to assist you if you suspect a birth injury has occurred. We will manage this and other pertinent deadlines throughout your case.
Why Choose Wagner’s Law Firm for Your Birth Injury Case?
With a lawyer from Wagners Law Firm, you will have an experienced lawyer on your side who has successfully handled previous birth injury cases. While past results do not guarantee future success, our track record speaks for itself. We understand what it takes to build a strong birth injury case to pursue the compensation you need. We are committed to offering families that seek legal services after a birth injury the kind, compassionate care they deserve.
Comprehensive Legal Services
When you hire a lawyer from Wagners Law Firm, you will receive skilled legal advocacy and compassionate client care. We pride ourselves on crafting a unique legal strategy to pursue your best outcome. Our goal is to seek the full and fair compensation you need to provide for your child’s long-term care and other related costs. As we build a strong case on your behalf, we will:
- Investigate your case – Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate what caused your child’s injuries by examining medical records and interviewing medical providers.
- Fully evaluate your case – Your lawyer will evaluate who may be held responsible for your child’s injuries, and we will assess the full value of your claim, including any future losses related to the birth injury.
- Provide comprehensive legal representation – If the insurance companies involved are unwilling to offer an appropriate settlement, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and go to court.
Contact Wagner Law Firm Today
At Wagners Law Firm, we understand that filing a lawsuit may be the furthest thing from your mind after experiencing a birth injury. Let an experienced birth injury lawyer Halifax guide you through the process. With a lawyer who has the skills and knowledge to handle the complexities of your case, you can focus on your baby’s health and future. Call our office today to get started with a free consultation.