Suffered a Birth Injury in Gary? Trust in Our Compassionate Lawyers

If you believe medical negligence contributed to your child’s injury, seeking legal advice is crucial to protect your rights when pursuing compensation. Here’s how we can help:

  • Suspicion of medical malpractice: If you suspect that medical negligence played a role in your child’s birth injury, we can investigate the case, gather evidence, and consult with experts to establish liability and hold responsible parties accountable.
  • Uncertainty about your legal rights: When dealing with medical malpractice law, it can be difficult to understand your rights and the statutes applicable to your case. We can assess the incident and offer clarity and guidance tailored to your situation.
  • Difficulty obtaining compensation: If you’re facing resistance from medical professionals or insurance companies in obtaining compensation for your child’s injuries, our attorneys can level the playing field with their knowledge, expertise, and negotiation skills.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell are dedicated to helping families in Gary successfully solve birth injury cases. When you turn to us for help, you can rest assured we’ll work tirelessly to investigate the circumstances of your case and build a strong legal strategy that secures the best possible outcome.

What Qualifies as a Birth Injury in Indiana?

According to the NCBI, a birth injury is a general term used to describe any injury to a fetus or neonate during labor and delivery, frequently during the second stage of labor in which the fetus descends through the birth canal. 

Common Types of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries vary in severity, from minor bruises to severe conditions and catastrophic injuries that impact a child’s entire life. Some common birth injuries we’ve handled in the past include:

  • Brachial plexus injuries: Damage to the network of nerves that sends signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand, often resulting in conditions like Erb’s palsy.
  • Cerebral palsy: A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone or posture, caused by damage that occurs to the developing brain.
  • Cephalohematoma: A collection of blood between a baby’s scalp and the skull, often caused by birth trauma.
  • Caput succedaneum: Swelling of a newborn’s scalp, which appears as a lump or bump on their head shortly after delivery.
  • Facial nerve injury: Damage to the facial nerve, which can occur due to pressure on the baby’s face during labor or delivery.
  • Fractures: Especially common in the collarbone area due to improper handling during delivery.

We know these injuries can lead to long-term health issues, requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation, thus the importance of recovering enough compensation to cover these costs. 

Signs Your Birth Injury Case May Be Valid

To have a valid birth injury case, several elements come into play:

  • Failure to provide the standard of care: If medical professionals fail to provide the standard level of care expected in similar circumstances, resulting in harm to your child, you have a valid medical malpractice case.
  • Evidence of negligence: Evidence such as medical records, witness statements, or expert opinions indicating negligence or errors in the delivery process will support your claim.
  • Long-term impact: If your child requires ongoing medical care, therapy, or assistance due to the injury, this may strengthen your case.

To determine if there’s evidence of negligence or failure to provide the standard of care expected in similar situations, our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury. This way, we can build a strong case to support your claim and fight for the compensation your family deserves.

Seeking Compensation for Birth Injury Damages

At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, our approach includes an initial assessment of the case. During our first consultation (which is free) we listen to your story and start strategizing the best way to move forward and pursue legal action.

Then, we embark on an investigative process that includes collecting as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Later, we start negotiations with insurance companies or file a lawsuit on your behalf, focusing on obtaining the maximum compensation possible to cover various damages.

Our dedication to justice is reflected in our extensive track record, with case results featuring multi-million dollar settlements for affected families.

Types of Compensation Available

  • Medical expenses: Covering past and future medical treatments, surgeries, therapies, and any medical equipment necessary for your child’s care.
  • Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish endured by your child and your family.
  • Lost wages: If you or your partner must take time off work to care for your child or attend medical appointments, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the reduced quality of life and the inability to participate in activities and experiences the child would’ve otherwise enjoyed.
  • Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or misconduct, punitive damages aim to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future.

Statute of Limitations for Birth Injury Cases

If you are unfortunately dealing with a birth injury, it’s important to know Indiana’s statute of limitations (outlined in Indiana Code § 34-18-7-1). This law is “occurrence-based”, meaning that an action for medical malpractice generally must be filed within two years from the date the alleged negligent act occurred (rather than from the date it was discovered). 

Given the complexity of these rules, their potential exceptions, and the severe consequences of missing a deadline, it‘s crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible after a birth injury occurs. Our attorneys will help you with all legal requirements and ensure your case is filed within the appropriate time frame.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation With Our Gary Birth Injury Attorneys

If you believe your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. Our compassionate team at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell is here to listen to your story, help you understand your legal rights and options, and guide you through the process of seeking justice. 

Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward securing rightful compensation for your family.