Earlier this year, the parents of a baby boy severely injured during a water birth filed a lawsuit against the hospital system where the baby was born. According to one local news report, the child was born with permanent hearing damage, cerebral palsy, and other serious health issues.
The lawsuit alleges that the health system that operates the hospital did
not adequately warn the parents of the risks associated with water births.
In turn, the parents opted for a water birth. During the birth, the child
was not delivered on time, depriving him of oxygen during the first crucial
moments of his life outside the womb. The parents claim that the child’s
heart rate was not properly monitored during the birth and that he was
not resuscitated immediately, resulting in their son’s injuries.
The lawsuit also claims that the health system should not have approved
the water birth, given the complications that the child’s mother
had during her pregnancy. Instead, the parents claim that the mother should
have had a C-section.
The $35 million sought by the plaintiffs is primarily designated for the
future care of their son, who is expected to have substantial medical
expenses for the rest of his life. Three million would be designated for
the future hearing loss of their son. Finally, approximately $10 million
would be used to compensate the family for their son’s past and
future pain and suffering.
Birth Injury Lawsuits
Having a child with a permanent, severe disability greatly changes the
life of the entire family. Not only are there extensive medical costs
involved with the constant care that is often required, but there is also
the unanticipated lifestyle change that comes with caring for a child
with special needs.
For these reasons, the law allows for the parents of children born with birth injuries to seek compensation for those responsible for the condition of their child. In many cases, parents are able to recover substantial sums of money to help them care for their disabled child. If you have recently given birth to a child who suffered preventable birth injuries as a result of a physician’s negligence, contact an experienced birth injury attorney today.
Have You Given Birth to a Child Suffering From a Birth Injury?
If you have recently given birth to a child who was born with a preventable
birth injury, and you believe that it may have been caused by the negligence
of the delivery physician, or any other medical professional involved
in the birthing process, you may be entitled to monetary compensation.
To learn more about how you may be able to recover for the injuries your
child sustained at birth, and to speak to a dedicated attorney about your
case, call (410) 567-0800 today to set up a free initial consultation.