Birth Injury Lawyer Columbia

When a joyful moment like childbirth turns tragic due to medical errors or negligence, families need strong legal representation to help them navigate the complex landscape of birth injury claims. At Mann, Blake & Jackson, our skilled team of attorneys specializes in personal injury and medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries, in Columbia. We understand the emotional toll and financial burden these injuries can impose, and we’re committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us at 803-256-1268 for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced birth injury lawyer.

What Constitutes a Birth Injury in Columbia?

The birth of a child is often one of the most joyful experiences a family can go through. However, when something goes wrong during the birthing process, joy can quickly turn to fear and heartbreak. Birth injuries—instances of physical harm occurring to a newborn during labor or delivery—can have devastating, long-lasting impacts on the child and their family. Our law firm, based in Columbia, South Carolina, specializes in personal injury and medical malpractice, including birth injury cases. 

Types of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can vary widely in terms of severity and long-term effects. Common types of birth injuries include:

Physical Injuries

• Fractures: Broken bones, commonly the clavicle, may occur during delivery.
• Brachial Plexus Injury: Harm to the bundle of nerves controlling the arms and hands, often resulting from shoulder dystocia.
• Cephalohematoma: Accumulation of blood between the baby’s skull and periosteum.

Neurological Injuries

• Cerebral Palsy: Caused by oxygen deprivation and leading to motor function impairment.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): A type of brain damage due to lack of oxygen and blood flow.

Facial Injuries

• Facial Nerve Damage: Usually caused by forceps or vacuum extraction methods during delivery.

Causes of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can occur for various reasons, some of which include:

• Medical Negligence: Incorrect use of delivery instruments or failure to monitor the baby’s vitals can lead to injury.
• Complicated Labor: Factors like the baby’s size or positioning can result in a challenging labor, increasing the risk of injury.
• Delayed C-Section: Failing to perform a timely C-section can lead to oxygen deprivation.

Legal Implications in South Carolina

In South Carolina, parents can file a birth injury claim under medical malpractice if the injury resulted from a healthcare provider’s negligence. To establish a case, you must prove:

• A healthcare provider-patient relationship existed.
• The healthcare provider was negligent.
• The negligence led to the birth injury.
• The birth injury resulted in specific damages, such as additional medical costs or pain and suffering.

The statute of limitations in South Carolina for birth injury claims is typically three years from the injury date. However, exceptions may apply, particularly when the injury is not discovered immediately.

What Can Compensation Cover?

Compensation may cover a range of costs and damages:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term care needs

Birth injuries can be devastating for families, both emotionally and financially. If you or a loved one has experienced a birth injury in Columbia, South Carolina, you should not have to carry the burden alone. 

The Critical Role of an Attorney in Navigating Birth Injury Claims

When your family faces the unimaginable hardship of a birth injury, the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. In such a complex and delicate situation, it becomes crucial to seek legal assistance. 

Expertise in Medical Malpractice Law

South Carolina’s medical malpractice laws are complex. An experienced attorney can navigate the nuances of these laws to establish a strong case. They are well-versed in gathering necessary medical records, filing the claim within the appropriate statute of limitations, and ensuring that you meet all the legal prerequisites.

Identifying Negligence

One of the primary tasks in a birth injury case is establishing negligence. Proving that the healthcare provider deviated from the standard of care is not straightforward. Experienced attorneys can identify crucial errors or omissions, gather evidence, and employ medical experts to validate the claim.

Objective Evaluation

Emotions run high in birth injury cases, making it challenging to evaluate your case objectively. An attorney can provide a level-headed perspective, helping you understand the merits and challenges of your claim. This balanced assessment can significantly guide your decisions throughout the legal process.

Skilled Negotiation

Insurance companies and hospitals are well-equipped to fight malpractice claims. Without legal representation, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and accept a lower settlement than you deserve. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf, aiming to secure the maximum compensation possible for medical expenses, emotional distress, and other damages.

Litigation Support

If your case goes to trial, an experienced attorney is indispensable. Trials are complicated and demanding, requiring a deep understanding of legal procedures, evidence rules, and case law. An attorney can represent you effectively, ensuring that your case is presented in the most compelling manner.

Assistance in Recovering Damages

An experienced attorney can identify the types of damages for which you may be entitled to compensation. These can range from immediate medical bills and future healthcare expenses to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.

Reducing Stress

Dealing with a birth injury is stressful enough without the added burden of navigating the legal landscape. An attorney can handle all aspects of your claim, allowing you to focus on your family and the healing process.

The intricacies of birth injury cases require specialized expertise and attention to detail. An experienced attorney can not only provide invaluable legal advice but also advocate fiercely for you and your family, aiming to secure the justice and compensation you deserve. 

Assembling Crucial Evidence for Your Claim

In the realm of personal injury and medical malpractice law, evidence serves as the cornerstone of any birth injury claim. The quality and breadth of evidence you can gather will substantially impact the strength of your case and your chances of securing rightful compensation. 

Medical Records

One of the first pieces of evidence your attorney will request is the complete set of medical records for both the mother and the newborn. This will include:

• Prenatal records
• Labor and delivery records
• Postnatal records
• Any records of tests or procedures performed
• Medications administered

These records help establish the medical condition of the mother and child before, during, and after birth, which is vital for identifying any deviations from the standard of care.

Witness Testimony

Witnesses can provide invaluable information regarding the events that transpired. This could include:

• Testimony from medical staff present during the birth
• Statements from family members who were in the room
• Expert witnesses like other healthcare professionals to testify on the standard of care that should have been upheld

Photos and Videos

If available, photographs and videos taken before, during, or after the birth can provide more context and corroborate other evidence. This might include images of the newborn’s condition immediately after birth, or any visible injuries.

Diagnostic Tests

Medical imaging tests (such as MRIs, X-rays, and ultrasounds) and laboratory tests can offer empirical proof of the injury. This can be particularly compelling when demonstrating the severity of the injury and linking it to medical negligence.

Financial Documents

Gathering all the bills, invoices, and other financial documents related to the child’s medical care is important when calculating economic damages. This can include the costs of:

• Hospital stays
• Surgical procedures
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Any assistive devices needed
• Correspondence

Any correspondence between you and healthcare providers can be crucial, especially if it reveals inconsistencies or admissions of fault. Emails, text messages, and letters can serve as evidence in court.

Expert Medical Opinion

In complex cases, the opinion of a medical expert can be indispensable. They can help establish what the standard of care should have been, how it was breached, and how that breach resulted in injury.

Assembling a comprehensive body of evidence is a meticulous yet crucial task for the success of your birth injury claim in Columbia, South Carolina. 

Take the First Step: Call a Columbia Birth Injury Attorney

When your family is grappling with the devastating impact of a birth injury, you don’t have to face it alone. At Mann, Blake & Jackson, we stand ready to be your advocates, fighting tirelessly to secure the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. With expertise in personal injury and medical malpractice law, our team is committed to guiding you through every step of your birth injury claim in Columbia, South Carolina. Let us shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on your family’s well-being. Contact us at 803-256-1268 to schedule your free, confidential consultation today.