Kentucky Birth Injury Lawyers
Last updated on February 3, 2025
Assistance In Complex Birth Injury Cases
When health care providers do not provide appropriate care during pregnancy, labor and delivery, the results can be life-changing for mothers and their children. In some cases, the results of these errors can be fatal. While legal action cannot undo the harm that they suffered, families impacted by birth injuries can hold doctors, nurses and other medical professionals accountable.
At Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC, our Lexington, Kentucky birth injury lawyers offer compassionate and skilled representation to families across Kentucky that have been impacted by birth injuries. With more than two decades of injury law experience, our lawyers help families fight for justice in and out of the courtroom and seek the financial support they need in difficult times. You will pay nothing unless you recover damages in your claim.
The Serious Impact Of Improper Treatment During Pregnancy
The decisions that health care providers make during pregnancy can lay the groundwork for a child’s healthy development. However, errors during this time can endanger their well-being. Failure to provide proper care during pregnancy can include:
- Failing to order necessary tests to identify health conditions
- Failing to appropriately manage conditions like preeclampsia, high blood pressure and gestational diabetes
- Prescribing inappropriate medications during pregnancy
These errors can endanger the health of both mother and child.
Risk Factors During Childbirth
Bringing a child into the world can be dangerous, and health care providers must make prompt decisions to protect their safety. Some of the many issues that can occur during delivery include:
- Improper care during labor and delivery
- Mishandling of the baby following delivery
- Failure to perform a necessary cesarean section
- Use of an improper technique or tool during delivery
- Application of unnecessary force when using forceps
- Allowance of labor to continue for an inappropriately long time
Care after delivery is also essential for the health and safety of mother and child. Overlooking possible complications, mismanaging infections and neglecting other care could endanger them even after they have left the delivery room.
Understanding Birth Injuries
Birth injuries differ fundamentally from birth defects, occurring due to complications or medical negligence during pregnancy, labor or delivery rather than genetic or developmental factors. Medical professionals must follow established standards of care designed to prevent these injuries, with any deviation potentially constituting medical malpractice. The connection between medical decisions and resulting harm forms the foundation of birth injury cases, helping families seek appropriate compensation for their child’s injuries.
Common Birth Injuries And Their Consequences
Birth injuries vary in severity and long-term impact, with some requiring lifelong care and others improving with early intervention and treatment.
● Nerve damage: Nerve injuries affect arm and shoulder movement control, potentially causing conditions like Erb’s palsy or partial paralysis. These commonly occur during difficult deliveries, especially with shoulder dystocia. While some heal with therapy, others lead to permanent limitations requiring ongoing medical care.
● Brain injuries: These injuries typically result from oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can cause developmental delays, cognitive issues or seizures.
● Cerebral palsy: Cerebral palsy affects muscle coordination, balance and movement control. It stems from brain damage during pregnancy, labor or delivery. Children often need lifelong physical therapy and medical support.
Understanding these injuries and their causes helps families recognize potential signs of medical negligence and take appropriate action to protect their child’s future.
Steps To Take After A Birth Injury
When parents suspect their child has suffered a birth injury, taking prompt and organized action is crucial:
● Seek an independent medical evaluation to document your child’s condition.
● Request complete copies of all pregnancy, labor and delivery medical records.
● Take clear photographs of any visible injuries or signs of distress.
● Start a daily journal tracking symptoms, behaviors and medical needs.
● Create a comprehensive record of all medical care, including timeline of events, health care providers involved, expenses and correspondence.
● Document all financial impacts, including medical bills, lost work time and caregiving expenses.
● Contact a qualified birth injury attorney for a free consultation about your legal rights.
Remember that every detail matters when building a birth injury case. The sooner you begin documenting and preserving evidence, the stronger your potential case becomes.
Holding Health Care Providers Accountable
Birth injuries can be the result of improper care throughout the pregnancy or during labor or delivery. No matter when they occur, the errors made by health care providers can lead to harmful and permanent conditions to babies, like nerve damage, spinal cord damage, brain injuries or cerebral palsy. The impact of these injuries can be life-changing for mother and child, and families may be overwhelmed and terrified during what should be an exciting time.
Birth injury cases can be complex and time-consuming to build. Our experienced and compassionate attorneys at Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC, will use a combined decades of experience to assist you during your birth injury claim. They will provide sound legal counsel throughout this distressing time. They will consult with medical professionals and experts in an effort to prove that your child received inadequate and, ultimately, harmful care.
Seek Guidance During A Difficult Time
If you or a loved one has suffered a birth injury, you do not have to face this struggle alone. Call Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC, at 859-286-7840 or reach out to us online to discuss your experience with an attorney in a free consultation. Hablamos español.
