James Frazier | | Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can have devastating consequences, leaving families overwhelmed with emotional, physical, and financial burdens. Unfortunately, not all birth injuries are unavoidable. Many occur due to negligence by healthcare professionals during labor and delivery. When this happens, families need compassionate and skilled legal advocates to secure justice and compensation for their child’s suffering. This is where experienced Orlando birth injury attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger step in to help.

Orlando Birth Injury Attorneys | Advocating for Justice in Medical Malpractice Cases

Birth injuries can have devastating consequences, leaving families overwhelmed with emotional, physical, and financial burdens. Unfortunately, not all birth injuries are unavoidable. Many occur due to negligence by healthcare professionals during labor and delivery. When this happens, families need compassionate and skilled legal advocates to secure justice and compensation for their child’s suffering. This is where experienced Orlando birth injury attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger step in to help. Complete a free case evaluation form today or call us now to discuss your case at (800) 434-4327.

Understanding Birth Injuries and Their Causes

Approximately one in every 200 infants in the United States experiences a birth injury. While some injuries result from unavoidable circumstances like a baby’s position or size, others stem from medical malpractice or negligence. These preventable incidents can cause lifelong complications for the child, affecting their physical, mental, and social development.

Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries

Birth injuries caused by negligence often result from:

  1. Failure to Act Quickly:
    If a baby shows signs of distress, such as a decreased heart rate or umbilical cord complications, timely intervention is crucial. Delaying an emergency C-section when necessary can lead to serious harm.
  2. Inadequate Fetal Monitoring:
    Continuous monitoring during labor ensures any issues, like oxygen deprivation, are detected early. When healthcare providers fail to act on alarming signs, it can result in brain damage or other injuries.
  3. Improper Use of Delivery Tools:
    Forceps and vacuum extractors are often used to assist with difficult deliveries. However, incorrect use can cause skull fractures, facial nerve damage, or even brain injuries.

Severe Birth Injuries Resulting from Negligence

Medical malpractice during childbirth can lead to several serious conditions, including:

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders affecting motor skills, coordination, and muscle tone, often caused by brain damage during birth. Negligence, such as oxygen deprivation due to delayed C-sections, can be a contributing factor.

Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy condition arises from nerve damage to the baby’s shoulder, often caused by improper handling during delivery. Symptoms include a limp arm, decreased grip strength, and limited movement. In some cases, proper precautions could have prevented the injury.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

HIE occurs when a baby’s brain receives insufficient oxygen and blood flow, leading to potential developmental delays, epilepsy, or motor skill challenges. Medical negligence, such as failing to address complications promptly, can be a key factor.

Injuries from Delivery Tools

Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors can lead to severe injuries, including:

  • Skull fractures
  • Brain damage
  • Facial nerve damage

When a child suffers a preventable birth injury, families have the right to pursue justice and financial compensation through medical malpractice claims.

Legal Options for Birth Injury Victims in Florida

When a child suffers a preventable birth injury, families have the right to pursue justice and financial compensation through medical malpractice claims.

Florida’s Definition of Medical Malpractice

In Florida, medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to deliver care that meets the accepted professional standard. If this breach results in serious injury or death, the healthcare professionals may be held liable.

Compensation for Families

Parents may recover compensation for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation and therapy costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Other damages permissible under Florida law

Statute of Limitations for Birth Injury Cases in Florida

Time is of the essence when filing a birth injury claim in Florida. The state imposes strict deadlines, including:

  1. Standard Limitations: Claims must be filed within two years of discovering the malpractice or within four years of the incident.
  2. “Tony’s Law” Extension: Parents may file a claim until the child turns eight. However, exceptions may apply if the parents were aware of the malpractice earlier.

Given these deadlines, families should consult an experienced Orlando birth injury attorney as soon as possible to avoid losing their right to file a claim.

The Role of Orlando Birth Injury Attorneys

Navigating a birth injury case requires extensive knowledge, meticulous investigation, and access to medical experts. Experienced attorneys will:

  • Review medical records and circumstances surrounding the injury.
  • Collaborate with medical experts to establish negligence.
  • Handle all legal filings and adhere to Florida’s pre-litigation requirements.
  • Advocate for maximum compensation to support the child’s future needs.

David Paul | Andrew Knopf | Brent Bigger of Paul | Knopf | Bigger - Offices in Orlando and Tampa, Florida

Why Choose an Experienced Orlando Birth Injury Attorney?

Reputable Orlando birth injury attorneys combine compassion with legal expertise to provide comprehensive support for families facing the aftermath of a preventable birth injury. They understand the complexities of Florida’s medical malpractice laws and work tirelessly to secure justice and financial relief.

Contact Paul | Knopf | Bigger – Your Orlando Birth Injury Attorneys

If your child has suffered due to a healthcare provider’s negligence during birth, you don’t have to face the challenges alone. Contact a skilled Orlando birth injury attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger to explore your legal options, protect your rights, and secure the compensation your family deserves. Act now—your child’s future depends on it. Call us now at (800) 434-4327.

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