Fighting for Victims of Birth Injuries
The injury-only law firm of Basch Keegan & Spada represents victims of medical malpractice in Kingston, NY and throughout the Hudson Valley — including cases involving tragic birth injuries and birth complications.
Birth Injuries Have Devastating Effects
The birth of a child should be a joyous event that marks a new chapter in a family’s life. But for some, injuries occurring during labor and delivery compromise this happy time. In the most serious cases, birth complications can lead to lifelong problems and even death.
Conditions that may result from birth injuries include:
- Brain damage
- Facial cuts, bruises, and paralysis
- Loss of nerve or muscular function
- Brachial plexus injury, also known as Erb’s palsy
- Shoulder dystocia
- Fractures and broken bones
- Asphyxia
Is Cerebral Palsy a Birth Injury?
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Brain damage can be caused by blunt force trauma, oxygen deprivation, chemical exposure, and other sorts of hazards. In every situation, though, a TBI poses a significant health threat that may cause an unpredictable number of symptoms ranging in severity.
- Spinal cord injuries: Harm to the back or spine can damage the spinal cord, causing immediate and permanent paralysis. The higher the injury occurs along the spinal cord, the greater the extent of the paralysis.
- Amputations: Particularly violent accidents like a high-speed car accident may cause a total or partial loss of a limb or amputation. Medical malpractice can also cause amputation through egregious surgical errors.
- Burn injuries: Second- and third-degree burns caused by fires, explosions, electrocution, and caustic chemicals can cause permanent scarring and disabilities, depending on what part of the body is burned.
- Permanent disfigurement: Someone who is left with permanent disfigurement or significant visible scarring after reaching their maximum medical improvement (MMI) can be considered a catastrophic injury victim.
Is Cerebral Palsy a Birth Injury?
Not all cerebral palsy is caused by a birth injury, but it is the most common serious birth injury. This neurologic disability affects muscle tone, body movement, and posture. Symptoms to watch for in a baby include developmental delays in physical milestones, floppy or stiff body parts, and abnormal posture. Another symptom is favoring the more functional side of their body for reaching, crawling, or other activity. These signs typically appear in the first few months of your child’s life, but it is common for children not to be diagnosed until they are over two years old.
How Long Do I Have After a Birth Injury to Sue?
There are some special considerations in the state of New York that can extend the deadline to file a suit for birth injury up to ten years. Typically, you will have two and a half years after the day of the medical provider’s negligence.
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Consultation
At Basch Keegan & Spada, our legal team understands how devastating a birth injury can be to a family — emotionally and financially. We dedicate our practice to helping you get the compensation you deserve following an incident of medical negligence, and provide the support and guidance you need during this difficult time.