Birth injuries can be extremely devastating for both your child and your family. Depending on the severity, the entire life of your child could be negatively affected by the unnecessary injuries caused by negligent medical care at birth. If your child has suffered such an injury should consider seeking legal counsel with our law firm.
According to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 53,700 cases of severe birth complications happen each year out of more than four million births. If you or your child suffers from a birth injury, you need to speak to a Jefferson County birth injury lawyer about your legal rights.
Birth Injury and Medical Malpractice
Birth injuries are the result of complications during labor and delivery or through medical malpractice. As a result, sometimes birth injuries lead to lifelong disabilities. Examples of medical malpractice include when a physician:
- Fails to respond to fetal distress
- Fails to anticipate birth complications
- Fails to respond appropriately to severe bleeding
- Fails to recognize or respond to umbilical cord compression
- Delays performing a necessary cesarean section (C-section)
- Misuses the forceps or a vacuum extractor
- Inappropriately administers Pitocin
Preventable Birth Injuries
While not all birth injuries can be prevented, some can. In preventable birth injury cases, medical professionals often failed to meet a set professional standard of care.
Each medical professional should provide the skill and service that is expected of every medical professional with the same level of experience and background. Determining if a birth injury was preventable often requires speaking with an experienced birth injury lawyer in Jefferson County.
Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the time limit in which a plaintiff must file a legal complaint for compensation from the defendant. As per Missouri Revised Statutes 516.105, the general medical malpractice statute of limitations is two years from the date of the occurrence or the date that the injury was discovered.
However, when the injured party is a minor under 18 years of age, such is the case with birth injuries, the minor has until their twentieth birthday to file suit. Missouri law also states that damages for malpractice cannot be brought after 10 years from the date of the occurrence or two years after a minor turns 18, whichever date is later.
A trial-experienced birth injury lawyer in Jefferson County can help you determine the legal deadline for filing a medical malpractice case.
Speak to a Jefferson County Birth Injury Attorney Today
A seasoned Jefferson County birth injury lawyer can pursue maximum compensation for birth injuries that you or your child has suffered. While no amount of money can change the outcome of a birth injury or mend emotional wounds, being compensated for damages may help provide a better life for you and your child. Serious birth injuries require a lifetime of medical care that must be paid for.
Receiving compensation to help pay these bills could help relieve some of your burdens. Contact our trial lawyers today to find out what your rights are and the steps you need to take to seek compensation for your damages.