Tirelessly Advocating For Families In Birth Injury Cases

Birth injuries are devastating events that alter the future of the child injured and the parents who must help and care for them. When birth injuries occur, families need experienced legal counsel to help guide them through the legal process so that they can concentrate on taking care of their injured child.

At the law firm of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP, we have the knowledge and experience to help you receive compensation for an avoidable injury suffered by your child during the delivery process, including retaining the necessary medical experts to advocate on your behalf.

Understanding Birth Injuries

Even if your family has experienced a birth injury, you may not know how it happened or who is responsible. The following information could help clarify how negligent birth injuries happen in Berkshire County.

Examples of birth injuries

Birth injuries come in many forms. Some will heal in the first few months, while others may be permanent, requiring lifelong care. In many cases, birth injuries result from the treating doctor’s failure to respond to or assess the conditions and complications of a woman’s pregnancy or delivery. When a fetus is in distress, it is often suffering from deprivation of blood and oxygen, and prompt delivery, by cesarean section if necessary, is critical. If medical providers fail to act quickly, babies may be born with significant brain injuries, hemorrhages or other deficits.

Children diagnosed with Cerebral/Erb’s Palsy and Kernicterus after birth are often victims of medical malpractice. Other common birth injuries along with their causes include:

• Asphyxia: The fetus’s oxygen supply can get cut off, potentially leading to brain damage from hypoxic encephalopathy if not promptly dealt with
• Broken bones: Careless handling of the fetus during or after delivery can damage their delicate bones, including their skull
• Brachial plexus damage: The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves in the shoulder that controls movement and sensation. Instruments used during childbirth can damage the brachial plexus, leading to shoulder dystocia and Erb’s Palsy
• Brain/neurological injuries: Pressure on the skull or asphyxiation can cause lifelong neurological disabilities
• Spinal cord injuries: Negligence from the doctor or staff can result in spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Medication errors: Improper drugs or inappropriate dosages can harm mother and fetus
• Unreasonable delay in performing a C-section: Often, fetal distress can only be relieved by delivery through a cesarean section. A doctor who hesitates too long could be responsible for any resulting harm to the baby.
• Infections: Substandard hygiene in the hospital can expose the baby and mother to serious infections

If your child’s birth injury was the result of medical malpractice, it may be possible to recover compensation from the medical providers or health care facility involved in the prenatal, delivery or postnatal care. A consultation with one of our medical malpractice lawyers can help you determine your options.

How Can A Birth Injury Lawyer Help With My Case?

Hospitals and medical professionals are often reluctant to admit fault. They and their medical malpractice insurance provider may drag out their “investigation,” make a lowball settlement offer, and try other tactics to avoid compensating you fairly. Our attorneys know all the tricks. We will build a strong, evidence-based case and work diligently to pressure the defendants to settle your claim with reasonable compensation – or argue on your behalf in court if necessary. This maximizes the amount of damages our clients collect to pay for things like your child’s needed medical and home care.

Along with a better result, working with one of our attorneys can help your peace of mind. We will communicate with the insurance company and deal with court filings and other details on your behalf. You can focus on taking care of your family.

Contact Us Now For A Free Initial Consultation

If your child has suffered a birth injury, our attorneys may be able to help. Please call us at 413-663-3200 in Massachusetts or 802-442-3233 in Vermont for a free initial consultation or contact us online. We have conveniently located offices and other meeting locations throughout Massachusetts and Vermont and regularly travel throughout the region to meet with clients.

All cases are handled on a contingent-fee basis – you will not pay attorneys’ fees unless we win compensation in your case.