Queens Birth Injury

Studies indicate that out of every 1,000 births, 27 infants will be the victim of a birth injury. A birth injury can be tragic for the infant, and devastating for the parents. There are many causes for birth injuries. Some such injuries may not be readily apparent, or they can clearly show themselves at the baby's time of birth. In many cases a birth injury occurs when the pregnancy or delivery has complications. In other cases, a medical misdiagnosis may cause the baby to suffer a birth injury that will have life long, permanent consequences for both the baby and the parents. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because your child has suffered a birth injury as a result of a medical misdiagnosis or some other type of medical malpractice it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Queens birth injury lawyer who will help you pursue compensation for your child's injuries, including damages for medical expenses and other losses.

Current statistics report that 27 of every 1,000 births will involve a birth injury. Injury to the child can happen at any stage during the delivery process. Cerebral palsy is one of the most commonly seen birth injuries. This disorder includes a variety of disorders related to the child's muscle coordination and movement. Often these injuries arise when the infant does not get enough oxygen due to a tangled umbilical cord, fetal distress, or the aspiration of meconium. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, seizures, poor muscle control and paralysis. Other common birth injuries include:

• Perinatal asphyxia
• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
• Sepsis
• Seizure
• Spastic quadriparesis
• Brachial plexus damage
• Erb's palsy

Depending on the severity of your child's condition a birth injury may require that your child receive lifelong special care. For example, many conditions will require that your child have multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. In addition, your child may require special assistive technologies such as a motorized wheelchair, special software, modified keyboard, and apps for a tablet or phone.

On October 10, 2003, Mary Swanson, gave birth to her son, Michael, at a hospital in Mount Kisco, New York. During delivery, shoulder dystocia occurred. In applying force to relieve the dystocia, Michael sustained a brachial plexus injury leaving him with developmental delays and cognitive deficits. Swanson was awarded a multi-million dollar award as it was determine that Michael's injury was the result of medical malpractice.

Jennifer Ferraro gave birth to Eduardo Nobre on September 3, 2006 at St. Anthony's Community Hospital. Eduardo was delivered by Dr. Shanahan. Shortly after delivery Eduardo was diagnosed with several conditions including Erb's palsy, shoulder dystocia, fetal distress, and lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist. As a result of his medical problems Eduardo is not able to independently complete activities of daily living, and must use therapeutic devices to move around. Ferraro filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Shanahan arguing that he was responsible for Eduardo's condition. Nobre v. Shanahan, 976 N.Y.S.2d 841 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., 2013)

Birth injuries are often caused by negligence on the part of a doctor or other health care provider. Labor and delivery errors include failure to detect changes in the baby's heart rate and other signs of fetal distress, delay in ordering a C-section, failure to diagnose a birth complication, administering the wrong medication or an improper dose of the correct medication, or improper use of forceps, vacuums or other medical tools. When administered properly anesthesia can help a mother have a more enjoyable, less painful childbirth experience. When a mistake is made in the administration of anesthesia, both the mother and baby may be suffer such problems as drug toxicity, jaundice, abnormal heart rate, paralysis, heart attack, stroke or even death. Other errors that result in birth injuries include failure to diagnose or properly treat a pregnancy complication such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, breech pregnancy or umbilical cord complications.

Birth injuries can leave a family emotionally and financially devastated. Learning that the condition was preventable and caused by the errors of healthcare workers only adds to the emotional pain. If you are concerned that your child's cerebral palsy, or other condition was caused by negligence, do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced birth injury attorney. You may be awarded compensation for the mistakes made during your child's birth. Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims from people injured due to the mistake of healthcare workers. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.