Birth Injury Lawyers Representing Children and Families

Birth Injury Lawyers Investigating Medical Negligence

Medical providers have a responsibility to monitor the health of the mother and baby, identify warning signs, and respond appropriately when complications develop. When a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and a child is harmed as a result, the family may have a birth injury claim.

These cases require more than a difficult outcome or a serious diagnosis. A successful claim must connect a medical error to the child’s injury. That requires a detailed review of prenatal records, fetal heart monitoring data, labor and delivery notes, imaging, newborn records, and other evidence.

Hospitals and insurance companies have their own lawyers and medical experts. Families deserve a legal team that understands both the medicine and the law. The birth injury lawyers at The Yost Legal Group investigate what happened, consult qualified medical professionals, and account for the child’s long-term needs.

When a birth injury occurs, parents just want answers, accountability, and resources for their child’s care. Our role is to listen closely, explain the legal process clearly, and pursue the responsible parties.

Cerebral Palsy Lawyers Representing Children with Birth Injuries

Cerebral palsy, commonly called “CP,” is a group of disorders that affect movement, balance, and posture. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CP results from abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain. The severity and effects differ from one child to another.

Cerebral palsy has many possible causes. Medical negligence may contribute when a baby experiences a preventable brain injury before, during, or shortly after delivery.

Potential errors involving fetal monitoring, the timing of delivery, treatment of infection or jaundice, and newborn resuscitation may warrant investigation.

Children with CP may require physical, occupational, or speech therapy, medication, assistive equipment, specialized education, surgery, or help with daily activities. Some children will need care and support throughout their lives.

If your child was diagnosed with CP and you have questions about the care provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or the newborn period, our cerebral palsy lawyers can investigate what happened.

Erb’s Palsy Lawyers Investigating Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that controls movement and sensation in the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. A brachial plexus birth injury can cause weakness, loss of feeling, or partial or complete paralysis in the affected arm. Erb’s palsy is the most common form of brachial plexus birth palsy.

These injuries are sometimes associated with shoulder dystocia, which occurs when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged during delivery. Doctors and nurses must use accepted maneuvers to manage this emergency. Excessive stretching or force applied to the baby’s head, neck, or shoulders may damage the brachial plexus nerves.

However, not every brachial plexus injury is caused by negligence. These injuries can occur without recognized risk factors and can occur during cesarean delivery. An investigation may examine the baby’s size and position, the mother’s medical history, how shoulder dystocia was managed, what delivery techniques were used, and whether excessive traction was applied.

Furthermore, recovery varies. Some children regain movement and sensation. Others may need physical therapy, surgery, or long-term assistance.

HIE Lawyers Handling Newborn Brain Injury Claims

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, commonly referred to as “HIE,” is a brain injury that occurs when a baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen and blood flow before, during, or shortly after birth. HIE can range from mild to severe.

The effects of HIE vary and may include cerebral palsy, seizures, developmental delays, cognitive impairments, or other long-term conditions. Determining whether malpractice contributed requires examining the circumstances surrounding the oxygen deprivation and the complete medical records.

Events and complications that may be relevant to an HIE investigation include:

• Placental abruption
• Placenta previa
• Uterine rupture
• Umbilical cord prolapse
• Nuchal cord
• Vaginal delivery involving breech presentation
• Prolonged fetal distress
• Maternal hemorrhage

The legal question depends upon whether medical providers recognized the danger and responded according to the accepted standard of care.

Records showing fetal heart rate abnormalities, a low Apgar score, neonatal resuscitation, seizures, therapeutic hypothermia, an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), or abnormal brain imaging may help explain what occurred. They must be considered together with the full medical history.

The Yost Legal Group investigates whether delayed delivery, inadequate monitoring, or another medical error contributed to a child’s HIE.