The birth of a child, for most people, should be one of the most joyous moments in their lives. Unfortunately, when medical professionals fail to follow the proper standards of care before, during, or immediately after delivery, the result can be a preventable birth injury.
If you or your child has suffered harm due to possible medical negligence in Washington, DC, an experienced birth injury lawyer can investigate what happened, determine who is responsible, and work to secure the compensation necessary to provide your family with the care and support they deserve. Reach out to our skilled Washington DC personal injury attorney today to schedule your free and confidential case consultation.
Why Lightfoot Law PLLC Personal Injury Attorneys Is The Right Firm To Handle Your Birth Injury Claim
When your child has been harmed by a preventable birth injury, you need a law firm that combines proven results with personalized support. Lightfoot Law PLLC offers exactly that balance. Here’s why you should work with us:
- Named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, reflecting legal skill, results, and professional reputation.
- We deliver the resources and experience expected from major law firms, while ensuring every client receives the attention their case deserves.
- We have significant experience negotiating with insurance companies and taking your case to trial. We have the ability to advocate for you at every stage of the process.
Choosing Lightfoot Law PLLC means you have a dedicated partner focused on holding negligent parties accountable and fighting for the compensation your child needs for a better future.
Why You Need an Attorney For a Washington DC Birth Injury Case
Birth injury cases are complex, emotionally challenging, and often involve powerful hospitals, medical professionals, and insurance companies. Having a skilled attorney on your side ensures your rights are protected and that you have the resources and experience you need to pursue justice. Specifically, here’s why working with a lawyer is so important:
- Investigating What Happened: A lawyer can gather medical records and consult with healthcare and birth injury experts to determine exactly how and when negligence occurred.
- Identifying All Responsible Parties: Multiple medical professionals or entities may share liability; your attorney will work to hold each one accountable.
- Understanding DC Birth Injury Laws: An experienced local attorney knows the statutes, filing deadlines, and evidentiary rules unique to Washington, DC, and how they apply to your case.
- Handling Insurance Companies: Lawyers can push back against insurers who work to minimize or deny payouts.
When you work with a lawyer, you level the playing field against large healthcare companies and insurance providers and give yourself to recover the compensation you and your family deserve.
Common Birth Injuries That Lead to Legal Claims
Some birth injuries are the result of unavoidable medical complications, but others happen because proper medical care was not provided. When negligence from a Washington DC car accident, premises liability, or something else, leads to preventable harm, families may have grounds for a legal claim. Common situations that lead to these claims include:
Cerebral Palsy
This condition is often the result of a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain during labor or delivery, which can be a result of a doctor’s negligence.
Erb’s Palsy (Brachial Plexus Injury)
This injury involves damage to the nerves controlling the shoulder and arm, often from excessive pulling on the baby’s head or neck during delivery.
Fractures
In some complicated deliveries, using instruments like forceps or vacuums improperly can cause bone fractures, especially in the clavicle or skull.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE happens when the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen and blood flow. This can cause permanent cognitive or physical disabilities. HIE is often the result of healthcare professionals not properly monitoring the baby’s vitals.
Facial Nerve Injuries
Incorrect use of forceps or pressure during birth may damage the facial nerves, leading to partial facial paralysis that can affect movement, eye closure, and expressions.
Preventable birth injuries can have lifelong effects for the child and their entire family. Identifying the cause and proving negligence is the first step in securing the compensation and care needed for the future.
Proving Medical Negligence in a Birth Injury Case
In a birth injury lawsuit, it’s not enough to show that an injury occurred, you must also prove that it happened because a medical professional failed to meet the standard of care. Building this type of case requires strong evidence of exactly what went wrong. Here’s how this can be done:
Review of Medical Records
Obtaining complete medical records from pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care is often the first step. These documents show what procedures were performed, how the baby’s and mother’s vital signs were monitored, and whether any warning signs were missed.
Expert Medical Testimony
Specialists in obstetrics, neonatology, or other related fields examine the facts to determine if the care provided met accepted medical standards. Their testimony can explain complex medical issues in plain language for judges or juries.
Witness Statements
Statements from nurses, other doctors, or anyone present during labor and delivery can help clarify what happened and whether proper procedures were followed.
Hospital Policies and Protocols
Reviewing a hospital’s delivery guidelines, staffing records, and training procedures can help determine if the facility followed proper protocols or if broader systemic issues played a role in the injury.
When you work with the right lawyer, they can gather the evidence needed to help you get justice for such a traumatic experience.
Contact Lightfoot Law PLLC Personal Injury Attorneys To Set Up a Confidential Case Evaluation With a Washington DC Birth Injury Lawyer
A birth injury can change the course of a child’s life and place overwhelming burdens on a family, but you do not have to face the challenges alone. With skilled legal guidance, you can hold negligent medical providers accountable and pursue the financial resources needed for ongoing treatment and support.
An experienced Washington, DC birth injury lawyer from our firm will stand with you through every step of the process. Call us today to schedule your free consultation with a Washington DC birth injury lawyer.