Birth Injury Lawyer Indianapolis, IN

Our Indianapolis, IN birth injury lawyer knows that when you have a child, you should be ecstatic, extremely proud, and ready to show your beautiful child to the world. But sometimes, there are risk factors or negligence when a baby is being born, that can lead to birth injuries. When your birth and delivery do not go as planned, you have the right to take legal action. A skilled lawyer can determine if your injury was due to the negligence of a medical professional who had a duty to provide you with reasonable care and failed to do so. Don’t wait any longer if you have had a birth injury as there is limited time to file a claim. If your family is heartbroken and dealing with a birth injury to a child, please reach out to Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers. We also serve other areas, including Noblesville, Cumberland, Clermont, and Brightwood.

What Are Risk Factors?

Understanding the risk factors that can cause birth injuries can help you to better understand what may have gone wrong. It could be that nothing went wrong, and it was going to happen naturally, but any physician should have plans in place to avoid birth injuries. They should be able to diagnose any health issues that could potentially occur, and know the alternative “best practices” treatments and procedures that may overcome any health risks. When you experience a birth injury that could have been prevented, it can have lasting consequences that permanently affect your child’s development. 

Some of the most common types of issues and risk factors can complicate a birth.

• • If the baby is large, there may be issues with having a natural birth.
  • The baby is breached (feet-first) in the birth canal.
  • The baby is born too early or prematurely.
  • The size of the mother’s pelvis and birth canal can make it difficult to have a natural birth.
  • The labor is difficult or long, like when the contractions are not strong enough to push the baby through the birth canal.
  • The mother is overweight.
  • The mother requires a Cesarean delivery.
  • Devices such as vacuums or forceps are used to deliver the baby.

Common types of birth injuries

So, knowing these risk factors, your doctor should be making plans to avoid complications. They should be prepared for various scenarios, such as when to move forward with an emergency C-section. Birth injuries, however, can come in many forms. But what are some of the most common types of birth injuries?

• Swelling of the head.
• Bruising of the head.
• Bleeding underneath a cranial bone.
• Breakage of blood vessels in the infant’s eyes.
• Facial nerve injuries caused by pressure on the child’s face.
• Injury to the child’s brachial plexus nerves.
• Fracture of the clavicle or collarbone.

Our birth injury lawyer can help you determine whether your child’s birth injury was negligence, or unavoidable. We will take great care with handling your case, to ensure that we look at every possibility and determine who, if anyone, was at fault and how much compensation the family is entitled to. Having assisted many clients and their families in navigating the difficulties of a birth injury case, we are aware of how stressful it can be. We know that there may be several reasons that you are hesitant to reach out to a lawyer for help, or you may have many lingering questions.

However, we are ready to provide you with the legal assistance that you need to obtain the compensation that you are entitled to. Let us help bring some normalcy back into your life if you’ve had a child suffer a birth injury. We’ll work with you, answer any questions that you have, and we’ll help you to get answers. Our priority is you and your family receiving the help you deserve.

Questions Parents Often Ask About Birth Injuries

Parents who suspect that their child has a birth injury undergo immense levels of stress and fear. They often have a litany of questions and frequently don’t know where to go to get the answers.

What Should I Do If  My Baby Suffered a Birth Injury?

When your child is injured during birth, your first priority will always be their well-being. Get medical care immediately for any obvious injuries and ask that your physicians explain both the injury and the care to you. Be sure that you ask for documentation of any injuries and treatment pertaining to your infant.

For injuries that are not immediately evident and present days or even years later, seek the advice of your child’s medical care provider. Ask detailed questions about your child’s health concerns and whether or not the issue may be linked to injuries that may were incurred at birth. 

Once you have obtained the medical care that your child needs and you have determined that their injuries may be birth-related, it is time to contact a birth injury lawyer like Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers to pursue legal action. Indiana’s statute of limitations is of concern; so once your baby’s birth injury becomes apparent, contact a birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.

How Do I Know If My Child Was Injured?

Some birth injuries present with obvious physical signs such as bruising, swelling, or even broken bones. Other injuries have few symptoms and will not manifest immediately. While it is not uncommon for new parents to have anxiety over the health of their baby, it is important to trust your instincts when it comes to your child.

Immediately after birth and throughout the developmental stages of your child’s early years, never dismiss issues or persistent behaviors that concern you, and be aware that even issues that present at a later time can be associated with a previously unknown birth injury.

How Do I Know If My Child’s Injury Is Actionable?

Injuries sometimes occur in the birth process through no fault of the medical professionals involved. An experienced birth injury lawyer  can utilize their knowledge of the law to guide you as to whether you have an actionable case. For instance, physicians cannot be held liable for a birth defect; however, if the defect was known and they failed to take this into consideration in your birth plan causing avoidable injury to your child, that could signify legal action. The law can be complex on these matters, so take the time to choose an established legal professional to help you.

How To Know If You Should Call a Birth Injury Lawyer

Giving birth and bringing a new baby home should be a time of excitement and joy. But, for those who have had babies with a birth injury, this can be a stressful and unpleasant time.

While it may not be easy to deal with a birth injury, the good news is that there are steps you can take if your child has experienced one. If you feel that you might need to contact a birth injury lawyer, then you must be prepared.

There Were Risk Factors

One clue that you should call a birth injury lawyer is that there were risk factors involved in your pregnancy, that could impact your birth experience. For example, those with gestational diabetes may be more likely to have an especially large baby, which can lead to more difficulty giving birth. Additionally, particularly long labor can also lead to many different types of birth injuries, as can a premature baby, or a breached baby.

Your Child Experienced a Birth Injury

Along with being aware of the risk factors that can lead to birth injury, you should also be aware of some of the more common birth injuries that many experience. One of them is swelling or bruising of the head. Some other common birth injuries include nerve damage, and burst blood vessels in the face or eyes. In some cases, these can be mild injuries.

However, in others, they may be severe and could lead to things like brain damage and developmental issues. The more familiar you are with the different kinds of birth injuries that can occur, the easier it will be for you to know as soon as a birth injury is presenting itself, and the sooner you can contact a professional to seek help.

There Was Negligence

Another sign that you need to speak to a birth injury lawyer in Indianapolis, IN is that there was negligence while you were giving birth. Negligence can take many different forms, from a medical professional not being fully aware of any extra care that you might need, to them simply not providing proper care for you or your child throughout the birth process. 

Giving birth and bringing a new baby home should be an exciting experience. However, a birth injury can put a damper on some of the joy you might have. While this can be upsetting, the good news is that there are steps you can take, like contacting a birth injury lawyer. 

Difference Between Birth Injuries and Birth Defects 

Birth injuries and birth defects are distinctly different medical terms. The difference between the two is significant. The main difference between birth injuries and birth defects is how they develop. 

A birth injury occurs during the birthing process and medical negligence is often the cause. For example, a birth injury can happen when forceps leave marks or bruises on a baby’s head. Whereas birth defects are abnormalities that form while the child is still in the womb. These abnormalities may be genetic defects. Typically, a birth defect occurs within the first three months of pregnancy. 

Knowing the difference will help your lawyer understand your case. Your legal team will carefully evaluate the actions of the medical team whose care you were under.

Types of Brain Damage From Birth Injuries 

Birth injuries can cause brain damage of varying levels of severity. These damages occur during or after birth. Four basic types of brain damage can be the result of a birth injury. Lack of oxygen and internal bleeding within the brain are top causes of brain damage. They are as follows: 

• Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). Damages the brain by decreasing blood and oxygen levels. HIE is the description of the brain cells and issues that are in the motor cortex. This leads to cerebral palsy and periventricular leukomalacia. Out of all the injuries on this list, HIE is the most common. 
• Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL). PVL is what occurs when the white matter in the brain dies. The white matter consists of nerve fibers that relay signals for motor functions. The death of these areas of the brain affects the ability to learn and function. The lack of blood flow to the periventricular part of the brain is what causes PVL. 
• Intracranial Hemorrhage. This is classified as bleeding in the brain. The most common cause is a fetal stroke from blocked or damaged blood vessels. High blood pressure, placenta complications, and system infections in the mother can lead to this. The most common group of infants to suffer from this is premature infants.
• Cerebral Dysgenesis. Direct injury to the baby’s head during or shortly after delivery can cause this. Infections can also mutate genes responsible for motor function as well.

Types of Brain Damage From Birth Injuries Infographic

Indianapolis Birth Injury Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a baby who is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered a preterm baby. Each year, preterm birth affects about one of every 10 infants born in the United States. Some of the physical issues that a preterm infant can suffer include:

• Breathing problems
• Feeding difficulties
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental delay
• Vision problems
• Hearing problems

If you believe your baby was born too early due to medical negligence, contact our office to find out what legal options you may have.

Birth Injury FAQs

Many babies suffer birth injuries every year that result in disabilities for the remainder of their lives. We will take great care of your case, leaving you free to attend to your baby with the tender love and care that new parents provide.

Are All Birth Injuries Preventable?

Not all birth injuries are preventable, but many are. They can result from a lack of communication in your medical team. If everyone isn’t on the same page, you and your baby are both at risk of injury. Your birth injury lawyer can help you determine if your birth injury was preventable or not.

Can Labor Drugs Such as Pitocin and Cytotec Cause Birth Injuries?

Yes, the use of drugs to speed up delivery can cause birth injuries. Strong, long, and frequent contractions can affect your baby’s breathing and heart rate. If these contractions go on for too long, your baby could lose all oxygen-rich blood flowing into the placenta. 

How Do I Obtain My Medical Records Following Childbirth?

As a patient, you have the right under HIPAA to view and access your medical records. Most medical practitioners and hospitals will have your records to you within 30 calendar days of your request. 

How Can I Tell if My Child Is Developing Normally?

Your pediatrician should be able to give you guidance on whether your child is meeting the medical association’s growth milestones. If a brain injury occurs during childbirth, your baby may not be able to meet these milestones without therapy. Some early indications that your baby may have trouble meeting developmental milestones include:

• The baby has difficulty controlling his or her head when picked up
• The baby has stiff or shaky arms
• The baby has stiff or shaky legs
• The baby has stiff legs that cross and look like scissors
• The baby has problems sucking and feeding

Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers, Indianapolis Birth Injury Lawyer

728 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

Reach Out Today

Bringing a child into the world is an experience that fills you with excitement and joy. But when a birth injury happens, it can be devastating. Going through any of these events can lead to a traumatic experience for both you and your baby. Our personal injury attorneys know what to do and want to help you get the maximum compensation from your case.

If your baby has suffered a birth injury, talk to a birth injury lawyer Indianapolis trusts. If you have gone through a birth injury then reach out to Ward & Ward Personal Injury Attorneys to figure out what we can do for you. Our attorneys are on hand to help you and offer a free consultation, we just need your call.