When to Consult a Birth Injury Lawyer: 5 Key Signs
Nothing can fully prepare a parent for the devastation of receiving bad news after a challenging labor and delivery. It is an emotional whirlwind filled with unexpected medical complications, mounting hospital bills, and the weight of life-altering injuries to your newborn. In such moments, feeling lost and unsure of your next steps is entirely natural.
However, it is important to recognize that you are not powerless. If you suspect that medical negligence played a role in your child’s injuries, you may have legal recourse. At The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., we have decades of supporting medical malpractice victims in Florida, and we are ready to fight for you after a birth injury. To help guide you, this post will explore five key signs that indicate it is time to consult a birth injury lawyer.
1. Your Child Was Diagnosed with a Birth Injury
If your child has been diagnosed with a birth injury such as cerebral palsy or brain damage, it is vital to investigate the cause. While not all injuries are due to medical malpractice, some arise from preventable errors, such as failure to monitor fetal distress. An attorney can help determine whether negligence played a role in your baby’s diagnosis, and explore your options for legal action.
2. You Suspect Medical Negligence During Delivery
Sometimes, you may not immediately know the full extent of your baby’s injuries, but you suspect something went wrong during labor or delivery. Warning signs include:
- Difficult labor or childbirth problems
- Delayed C-section decisions
- Physical injury to child during delivery
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction
- Viral or bacterial infections during pregnancy
- Lack of communication from medical staff about complications
- If during delivery, the child’s body is improperly manipulated
- Infants born in an abnormal position
If the healthcare providers failed to follow standard protocols, resulting in harm to your baby, consulting a Florida birth injury lawyer can help uncover the truth.
3. Ongoing Medical Costs Are Overwhelming
Birth injuries often come with extensive medical needs, such as surgeries, therapy, medications, and long-term care. The costs of treating your child’s injuries might become unmanageable, but there is only a limited amount of time to take legal action to preserve your right to the compensation you need to cover these expenses. A medical malpractice lawsuit is the legal avenue for seeking damages for current and future medical bills, ensuring your child receives the necessary care.
4. You Feel Pressured to Settle Quickly
Hospitals and insurance companies often try to resolve claims swiftly to avoid further scrutiny. If you have been approached with a settlement offer, it is essential to speak with a birth injury lawyer before accepting it. These initial offers are often far below the amount needed to cover medical expenses and other associated losses. An attorney will negotiate on your behalf and fight to secure the resources you require to recover.
5. You are Struggling with Emotional and Financial Stress
The emotional toll of caring for an injured child is immense, and the financial strain only adds to the burden. A Florida birth injury lawyer may help alleviate some of this stress by handling the legal challenges of your case. They will gather evidence, work with medical experts, and build a strong claim while you are focusing on your family.
Call a Birth Injury Lawyer in Florida Today
If you recognize any of these signs, act promptly to protect your rights and your child’s future. Acting promptly ensures that evidence is preserved and deadlines are met. At The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., we are committed to fighting for families affected by medical negligence. We will investigate your case to hold the responsible doctors or institutions accountable and seek justice. Call us today at (239) 500-5000 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.
