Birth injuries are one of the most devastating events a family can endure. In the wake of such a traumatizing incident, it’s natural to be unsure about how to seek justice. If your child has sustained one, a Minnesota birth injury lawyer can help you pursue damages.
Since 2003, Birth Injury Lawyers Group has recovered over $750 million for our clients. If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, a Minneapolis birth injury lawyer from our team can help your family pursue full compensation.
How Can a Birth Injury Lawyer Help with Your Claim?
If your baby has suffered a birth injury, an experienced birth injury lawyer in Minneapolis can:
- Evaluate your case to determine if malpractice occurred.
- Gather critical evidence, including medical records, expert testimony, and witness statements.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement.
- Represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
How Much Is My Birth Injury Claim Worth?
Birth injury settlements can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. The value of a birth injury claim depends on several factors, including:
- The severity and long-term impact of the injury
- The cost of medical care, including surgeries, therapy, and assistive devices
- The emotional pain and suffering endured by the family
- Loss of future earnings if the child requires lifelong care or will be unable to work as an adult
An experienced birth injury attorney in Minneapolis can assess your situation and estimate your claim’s worth.
Minneapolis Birth Injury Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover?
Birth injury victims and their families may be entitled to different types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: You can recover the costs of past and future hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing therapy.
- Lost wages and future earnings: If you or your family experience lost income due to taking time off work, or if your child’s earning potential is permanently diminished, you can be compensated for it.
- Rehabilitation costs: You may be entitled to reimbursement for expenses related to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation services needed for your child’s recovery.
- Assistive devices and home modifications: Your family can recover the costs of wheelchairs, communication devices, or other home renovations required to accommodate your child’s disabilities.
- Pain and suffering: This compensation acknowledges the physical and emotional anguish you and your family have endured due to the birth injury.
- Emotional distress: You and your family can seek damages for the psychological impact of the injury on both your child and yourselves.
- Special education needs: If your child requires specialized schooling or tutoring, your family can be compensated for these educational expenses.
- Punitive damages: In cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, your family may be awarded additional damages to punish the responsible party and prevent similar incidents in the future.
A birth injury attorney can calculate your damages and fight for fair compensation on your behalf.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
How Long After a Birth Injury Can I Sue in Minnesota?
Minnesota law imposes a statute of limitations of four years for medical malpractice claims. This means that if you don’t file a claim within four years of your child’s birth injury, you may lose your right to seek compensation. However, if the child themself decides to sue, they have until they turn 22 to do so.
Evidence in birth injury cases can deteriorate over time, and medical records or witness accounts may become harder to obtain. A birth injury attorney can help you file a claim promptly.
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
How Do I Prove a Birth Injury?
To succeed in a birth injury case, you must prove the following elements:
- Duty of Care: The medical professional owed a duty to provide a standard level of care.
- Breach of Duty: The professional failed to meet this standard through negligent actions or omissions.
- Causation: The breach directly caused the injury to the child or mother.
- Damages: The injury resulted in measurable harm, such as medical expenses or emotional distress.
Evidence that can support your claim may include expert testimony, medical records, and documentation of the family’s losses. A Minnesota birth injury attorney can help gather evidence.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is physical harm sustained by a newborn during labor or delivery. While some injuries are unavoidable due to natural complications, others result from medical negligence. Common symptoms of birth injuries include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Weak muscle tone
- Seizures
- Developmental delays
Common Causes of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can occur for various reasons, including:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress
- Improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors
- Delayed C-section
- Medication errors
- Inadequate prenatal care
Understanding what caused your child’s birth injury is critical to building a strong case.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Some of the most common birth injuries include:
- Cerebral palsy: A neurological condition caused by oxygen deprivation or trauma
- Brachial plexus injuries: Damage to the nerves controlling arm and hand movement
- Fractures: Often occur during difficult deliveries
- Facial paralysis: Results from pressure or trauma during delivery
- Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): Brain damage due to oxygen deprivation
Contact a Minneapolis Birth Injury Attorney Today
Dealing with a birth injury can be overwhelming, but help is available. A knowledgeable Minneapolis birth injury attorney from Birth Injury Lawyers Group can review your case, gather evidence, and fight for the compensation your family needs to move forward.
Schedule a free consultation today to start your journey toward justice.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."