Is Your Child's Birth Injury Permanent? Learn About Your Options

When a child suffers a birth injury, it affects not only their health but also their family's emotional and financial well-being. Birth injuries differ in severity, but each situation presents unique challenges to the child's development and the family's life. The journey may involve long-term medical care, therapy, and unexpected expenses, significantly impacting the family's life.

If your child has suffered a birth injury and you're looking to understand your legal options, seeking the assistance of a Dallas birth injury lawyer can be invaluable. Birth injury claims can be complex and require a deep understanding of medical facts and legal standards to navigate. By seeking expert legal advice, families can ensure they are taking the right steps towards securing the compensation necessary to support their child's needs. A good lawyer will advocate effectively for the rights of the injured child and their family. They will guide you through the legal landscape and help you understand your options.

The Rasansky Law Firm, with its experienced team led by Jeff Rasansky, stands ready to assist families affected by birth injuries. Having represented thousands of clients over the past 27 years, our firm understands the nuances of these cases. Our approach is rooted in compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to achieving just compensation for our clients. If your family is facing the challenges of a birth injury, know that you don't have to navigate this path alone. A Dallas birth injury attorney from our firm can provide the guidance and support you need during this difficult time.

Understanding Birth Injuries

What Are Birth Injuries?

During the labor and delivery process, newborns may suffer from physical harm or trauma, which is commonly referred to as birth injuries. These injuries can affect various parts of the body and range from mild to severe. While some types of birth injuries may heal over time, others can lead to long-term or permanent disabilities. Common examples of birth injuries include brachial plexus injuries, such as Erb's Palsy, fractures such as clavicle fractures, cerebral palsy, and brain damage that occurs due to oxygen deprivation, known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Birth injuries can occur for different reasons, such as the baby's size or position or medical procedures like forceps or vacuum extraction. It's crucial to pinpoint the exact cause of the injury to decide on the best treatment and any legal steps required. Knowing the cause of the injury will assist parents and healthcare providers in making informed choices about the baby's care and recovery.

Common Causes of Birth Injuries

Medical mistakes during childbirth are a common cause of birth injuries. These mistakes might include using delivery tools incorrectly, not monitoring the baby's vital signs accurately, or not taking immediate action in emergency situations. Other factors, such as not getting enough prenatal care, miscommunication among medical staff, or not performing a necessary cesarean section promptly, can also contribute to birth injuries.

Identifying Signs of a Birth Injury

It's important to recognize the early signs of a birth injury to get timely medical help and legal assistance. Some signs are noticeable right away, while others may take days or even months to appear. Physical signs can include visible swelling or bruising, especially around the head or shoulders, abnormal movements or limpness in limbs, and difficulties with feeding or breathing. Developmental delays as the child grows, such as not reaching milestones for sitting, walking, or talking, can also indicate a birth injury. It's essential to observe these signs to ensure the right treatment and support for the child.

The Impact of Birth Injuries

Short-term vs. Long-term Impacts

The effects of birth injuries can have long-term consequences, not just for the child but also for their families. In the short term, immediate medical attention is often required, such as treatment for fractures, surgery for more severe injuries, or interventions for difficulties with breathing and feeding. These initial treatments are essential to stabilize the child's condition and prevent further complications.

Managing the long-term impacts of a child's health condition can be a complex and challenging process. These impacts may include physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and developmental delays that can significantly affect the child's ability to learn, grow, and engage in daily activities. Providing long-term care may require the implementation of specialized education plans, ongoing physical therapy, and continuous medical treatments. Families of such children should be committed to fulfilling their immediate needs as well as ensuring their long-term well-being by providing them with the necessary support and accommodations.

Emotional and Financial Considerations

Birth injuries can have a significant impact on families, both emotionally and financially. Parents and family members may experience a range of emotions, such as sadness, guilt, frustration, and anxiety about the future. Dealing with the healthcare system, securing appropriate treatments, and adjusting family life to accommodate the child's needs also add stress to familial relationships.

The financial costs associated with birth injuries are usually overwhelming. Medical bills for surgeries, ongoing therapy, medication, and specialized equipment can quickly add up, imposing a significant financial burden on families. In addition to direct medical costs, families may face lost income. In some cases, one parent may need to reduce work hours or stop working entirely to care for the child.

Legal Options for Birth Injury Cases

The Role of a Birth Injury Lawyer

A birth injury lawyer in Dallas, TX, specializing in birth injury cases, can help families going through a difficult time. They will review medical records to determine if there was any medical negligence or errors that caused the injury. Based on this information, the lawyer creates a plan that help the family get compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and pain and suffering. The lawyer will gather evidence, consult medical experts, and prepare for negotiations or court if needed. Throughout this process, the lawyer will be the family's advocate, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.

Navigating the Legal Process

The legal process for birth injury claims can be intricate and lengthy. It begins with filing a claim against the responsible parties, which could include healthcare providers, hospitals, or medical personnel involved in the delivery. The process involves several stages, including discovery, where both sides gather evidence, pre-trial negotiations, and possibly a trial.

What sets Rasansky Law Firm apart in navigating these complexities is our commitment to transparency, communication, and personalized attention to each case. Our firm leverages extensive legal knowledge, medical understanding, and negotiation skills to advocate effectively for our clients. We understand the nuances of birth injury laws in Texas and apply this expertise to fight for the best possible outcome for our clients.

Understanding Contingency Fees

Birth injury cases can be expensive for families, which is why Rasansky Law Firm offers services on a contingency fee basis. This means that families are not required to pay any legal fees upfront. Instead, attorney's fees will only be collected as a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount if the case is successful.

This arrangement allows families to pursue justice without worrying about the immediate costs of legal representation. It also ensures that both the lawyer and the client are invested in achieving the best possible outcome. At Rasansky Law Firm, we believe that every family should have access to high-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. Our contingency fee structure is designed to provide peace of mind to families, allowing them to focus on their child’s well-being while we handle the legal challenges.

Steps to Take If Your Child Has Suffered a Birth Injury

Contact Rasansky Law Firm

If you suspect your child has suffered a birth injury, it's important to get legal help right away. You can contact the Rasansky Law Firm, which has a team of reliable birth injury attorneys in Dallas. Our firm offers a free consultation to discuss your case's specifics. This will help you understand your legal options without any financial obligation. With over 27 years of experience, our team is skilled in dealing with complex cases. We can advise you on the best way to proceed and explain how we can help you get the justice and compensation your child deserves.

Documenting Medical Care and Expenses

When dealing with a legal case involving medical care, it's important to keep thorough records of everything. This includes hospital visits, treatments, prescriptions, therapy or rehabilitation sessions, and related expenses. Be sure to save receipts for all costs, such as travel expenses for medical appointments and modifications made to your home to accommodate your child's needs. These documents are essential evidence for your case, showing the financial impact of the birth injury and the extensive care required for your child’s recovery.

Understanding the Statute of Limitations

It's important to know how long you have to file a lawsuit in birth injury cases. The law sets a deadline for filing, and if you miss it, you may not be able to seek compensation. This is known as the statute of limitations. The deadline varies, so it's best to talk to the Rasansky Law Firm as soon as possible. Our birth injury lawyers in Dallas, TX, are experienced and can help ensure that all necessary legal steps are taken on time. This will protect your family's right to seek justice and support for your child.

Need Help? Call Rasansky Law Firm

Dealing with a birth injury can be an overwhelming experience for families. At Rasansky Law Firm, we are committed to helping families through these challenging times. Our Dallas birth injury lawyers have over 27 years of experience. They are well-equipped to provide comprehensive support and guidance to navigate your case. We offer a free consultation to give you a clear understanding of your legal options, all without any obligation.

If your family is dealing with the effects of a birth injury, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us at (214) 651-6100 or jeffr@jrlawfirm.com. Alternatively, visit our website. By choosing Rasansky Law Firm, located in Dallas, TX, you’re taking an essential step toward securing a brighter future for your child. You’re not alone in this journey; let us help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.